Current Formula 1 titleholder, the four-time world champion Max Verstappen, is perceived by many as the preeminent driver today – and Emerson Fittipaldi’s opinions align with this assessment.
In an exclusive discussion with Autosport, double world champion Fittipaldi was asked about the Red Bull driver’s ongoing achievements. The Brazilian promptly identified him as the foremost driver on the current grid, based on his personal evaluation.
“Should I be in charge of a Formula 1 team, and assuming I had the freedom to bring in any driver I wanted, Max would be the one I’d approach,” Fittipaldi stated. “Max would invariably be my initial choice for recruitment.
“My assessment is that Max occupies a unique tier as a racing driver. Even when facing inadequacies with his vehicle, he seems to compensate by elevating its performance through sheer determination.”
While Verstappen’s ongoing championship-winning phase may conclude in 2025, his performance this season remains notably remarkable. He currently holds third position in the championship standings, contributing 187 points to Red Bull’s total of 194, while working with team-mates Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.
Fittipaldi has conveyed his positive outlook on Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, representing a country historically successful in F1. Bortoleto marks the nation’s first full-time driver since Felipe Massa’s departure at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Of late, Sauber’s Bortoleto has demonstrated parity with his experienced team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, surpassing him in the last five qualifying attempts (including sprints). Following an initial ten Grands Prix without scoring, Bortoleto achieved points in the subsequent four rounds, with a sixth-place finish in Hungary representing his highest achievement thus far.
“I believe most people have been taken by surprise, to tell the truth,” Fittipaldi observed. “His performance in the recent race was notable, considering his position with Sauber. I am of the opinion that he presented a stellar display, both during qualifying and the race itself. This level of performance is genuinely noteworthy.
“I’ve been following him since his early involvement in kart racing. He has consistently shown promise as a proficient driver, but I now see him functioning at an augmented capacity within Formula 1.
“Furthermore, Nico Hulkenberg should not be disregarded. His quickness is evident; I assume that Gabriel benefits greatly from possessing a robust reference point.”
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