Gabriel Bortoleto is profoundly impressed by the rise of Max Verstappen. The Dutchman was 104 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri just after the summer break, but that gap has shrunk to forty after three Grand Prix victories. According to Bortoleto – also a good friend of the four-time world champion – Verstappen is making history with this: ‘One of the best comebacks ever’.
Gabriel Bortoleto has been good friends with Max Verstappen for some time. The two share a passion for sim racing, and the Dutchman regularly gives tips to the young Brazilian. Bortoleto is also a spectator in the increasingly exciting title fight between his friend and the two McLaren drivers, and is impressed.
“There’s not really much mystery to it, I just find what he’s doing incredible,” Bortoleto tells in Mexico. “In my opinion, it’s one of the best comebacks in the history of the championship.” The Sauber rookie therefore dares not yet predict who of the three title rivals will eventually come out on top. “Let’s see what he can achieve. I think he has won quite a lot lately. McLaren has been strong, but not as strong as perhaps at the beginning of the year, when they finished first and second every round. Anything can happen, but I think he’s doing absolutely fantastic work.”
‘It’s already history’
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies already labeled Verstappen’s rise as ‘history in the making’. Bortoleto agrees with this. “I think for most of the year he didn’t have the best car, and not even a car that belonged to the top three. And yet he was able to compete for the title for so long,” the Brazilian continues his praise. “And now that they have discovered a number of good things about the car and he has been able to put in good performances, I believe it is as (Mekies, ed.) said. It’s already history.”
