The cordial relationship between Gabriel Bortoleto and Max Verstappen has been quite apparent throughout the current year.
Right before the commencement of the Australian Grand Prix, the distinguished four-time Formula 1 world champion suggested that the Sauber rookie commence the race utilizing intermediate tires – a suggestion that ultimately proved to be strategically sound. During the Austrian GP qualifying session, he even skillfully provided Bortoleto with a beneficial aerodynamic tow. However, it is less widely acknowledged that Verstappen had already been actively supporting Bortoleto’s aspirations prior to the Brazilian’s entry into F1.
“Max is an outstanding individual,” Bortoleto conveyed to Autosport when questioned about their connection. “In my estimation, he stands alongside Ayrton Senna as one of the most exceptional drivers ever. I genuinely regard Max as one of the premier talents in the sport. I hold great admiration for his methodology in racing, his profound comprehension of racing dynamics, his understanding of the vehicle, and the patience he demonstrates in all his endeavors. I perceive him as an exemplary model of the type of driver I aspire to become – particularly in terms of his racing expertise and overall capabilities.”
The genesis of their amicable association traces back to 2023, a period when Bortoleto was actively participating in Formula 3. “My interactions with Max became more frequent at the outset of my F3 season. We engaged in numerous video game sessions together – particularly in sim racing,” he recounted. “We cultivated a very positive rapport wherein he provides me with considerable assistance. He has been instrumental in my trajectory towards Formula 1, offering valuable insights, guidance, and facilitating conversations with individuals within the F1 community on my behalf.”
Jonathan Wheatley, who assumed the role of Sauber team principal earlier in the year after an extensive tenure as sporting director at Red Bull Racing, was among those individuals. “Jonathan frequently mentions that Max spoke highly of me to him before my arrival at Sauber/Audi,” Bortoleto disclosed. “I am aware that Max does not often publicly discuss this, particularly not in the media, his efforts to assist me by speaking to individuals in Formula 1 regarding my potential. Nevertheless, he willingly extended his support, recognizing the promising results I was achieving.”
Their initial encounter occurred in 2017. A photograph shared by Bortoleto on Instagram serves as evidence of this meeting. “Indeed, that was my first meeting with Max,” Bortoleto confirmed.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images
“I was experiencing a sense of nervousness. Given that he had previously been affiliated with the karting team for which I competed, CRG, and the members there spoke of him in the highest regard,” he elaborated. “Max had recently concluded his second season in F1, and I had learned extensively about this emerging talent achieving remarkable success in Formula 1.
“Therefore, I was particularly eager to meet him. On one occasion, he attended a race, and I requested a photograph. He was exceptionally gracious and amiable. Subsequently, we captured that photograph. It garnered significant attention [earlier this year], as it is gratifying to revisit that moment in retrospect.”
Shared passion
Six years subsequent to that inaugural photograph, the two established a connection through sim racing – an activity they both approach with considerable seriousness.
“It’s rather amusing to consider the background to it, as I initially possessed limited skills in sim racing,” Bortoleto acknowledged. “Upon commencing, I held a dislike for it, owing to my lack of proficiency. Generally, a lack of skill in an activity tends to diminish one’s enthusiasm for it, as one frequently experiences setbacks.”
He vividly recalls his introductory sim racing experience. “It occurred in Milan. I did not possess a simulator at my residence or any comparable setup. It was a Ferrari simulator situated within the Ferrari retail establishment,” he elaborated.
“I ventured there and attempted it, only to discover that I was significantly slower than the leading competitors. I recall my father observing me and remarking: ‘Refrain from expressing dissatisfaction and asserting that the simulator is inadequate. Rather than complaining, strive to excel at this endeavor. You have a compelling rationale to enhance your skills: it represents your vocation. You should aspire to be the best in this sphere’. Given that my father is my role model, I heeded his counsel. I discontinued complaining and asserting that ‘it is inadequate’, ‘it does not impact my life’, and ‘simulator training lacks realism’. Instead, I commenced practicing.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
This proved to be a transformative juncture for Bortoleto. “I procured my initial modest simulator, thereby facilitating practice at my residence. I subsequently developed an addiction to it. Sim racing possesses an inherently addictive quality. Upon commencing driving, it becomes challenging to discontinue.
“Consequently, I embarked on the process of upgrading my simulator, eventually attaining a level of proficiency that I would characterize as among the best – specifically for a professional driver. Undoubtedly, there exist dedicated sim racers who surpass my abilities, owing to their exclusive devotion to the activity, whereas I am constrained by temporal limitations. Nevertheless, I derive immense pleasure from it and dedicate a substantial portion of my day to sim racing.”
Despite Bortoleto’s divergent sentiments following his initial experience, he presently asserts that sim racing has evolved into an ‘exceptionally important’ component of his developmental trajectory. “When venturing to unfamiliar circuits – or even those with which one is already acquainted – it provides considerable assistance. Upon arrival at a circuit, I experience a sense of familiarity, as though I have already completed numerous laps, attributable to the extensive practice conducted at my residence.
“Furthermore, one acquires a comprehensive understanding of vehicle setup. Within the simulated environment, it is possible to modify the setup and experiment with diverse configurations. While replicating the precise setup of an actual F1 car within the sim is not feasible, one can glean valuable insights into the modifications that can be implemented in the setup, as they should elicit analogous responses to those observed in reality. Consequently, one can evaluate aspects such as the vehicle’s behavior on specific tracks.”
A member of Verstappen’s team
Bortoleto has additionally served as an ambassador for Team Redline, Verstappen’s professional sim racing team. “I became affiliated with them in 2023, during my tenure in F3. While I consistently engaged in discussions and gameplay with the members, my official integration occurred that year,” Bortoleto stated.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images
What constitutes his responsibilities? “I engage in collaborative practice sessions with them. I dedicate considerable time to sim racing – primarily with Max – and periodically with the other sim racers. However, we do not participate in any official races as a unified entity. Potentially, towards the culmination of the year, there will be a limited number of endurance races in which I will be involved. Nevertheless, we shall observe the unfolding circumstances.”
In contrast to Verstappen, he does not actively contribute to the team’s vehicle setup procedures. “No, that is not within the purview of my responsibilities,” Bortoleto clarified. “Furthermore, I am constrained by temporal limitations in that regard. Additionally, they predominantly engage in iRacing and endurance racing – distinct categories of games from those I typically engage in. I frequently operate the F1 vehicle within Assetto Corsa and, on occasion, partake in iRacing utilizing GT3 vehicles. When I collaborate with the Team Redline personnel, I endeavor to establish competitive lap times, and we strive to surpass each other. However, the majority of my time is allocated to Assetto Corsa, operating the F1 vehicle.”
A top-10 driver in Assetto Corsa
When asked regarding his ranking among the foremost sim racers globally, Bortoleto responded with a smile: “It is contingent upon the specific game in question. Within Assetto Corsa, utilizing the F1 vehicle – a domain to which I devote substantial attention – I would estimate that I am positioned within the top 10, potentially even the top 5. In alternative games, my ranking may be within the top 50 or top 100. It is solely dependent upon my area of focus. Should I dedicate my efforts to a particular game, I am confident in my capacity to attain a position within the top 10. Nevertheless, this necessitates a significant investment of time and dedication.”
“I currently engage extensively with Assetto Corsa, given its perceived realism in terms of tire behavior and vehicle dynamics,” Bortoleto commented. “iRacing excels in the realm of racing. It offers qualifying and practice sessions, thereby replicating the atmosphere of a race weekend to a degree. However, Assetto Corsa is more oriented towards solo lap time attainment or engaging with companions. It is less concerned with competitive racing and more focused on practice and skill refinement.
“However, I must re-engage with iRacing to some extent. I momentarily redirected my focus towards F1 within Assetto, but I must revert and dedicate greater attention to iRacing to enhance my standing there.”
