Gabriel Bortoleto praises Max Verstappen as one of the greatest alongside Ayrton Senna. Gabriel Bortoleto praises Max Verstappen as one of the greatest drivers of all time alongside Ayrton Senna.

Gabriel Bortoleto recently gave an interview focusing mainly on his relationship with the four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

The praise for Max
“For me, alongside Ayrton Senna, he is the best driver ever,” said the young Brazilian, a statement that inevitably puts other current great drivers, such as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton—who has recently been facing significant challenges at Ferrari—in a secondary light.

“I consider Max one of the best around. I really admire his approach to racing, his car knowledge, and the patience he shows in everything he does. I see him as an example of the kind of driver I want to become.” It’s worth noting that the two drivers have had a close relationship since 2023, the year Bortoleto entered Formula 3, when they started playing racing video games and simulations together.

Since then, the Dutch driver has greatly helped the Brazilian by giving him advice about Formula 1 and talking about him in the paddock with prominent figures like Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber’s team principal, the team for which Gabriel currently races.

Although many followers of the sport view Verstappen as cold and distant, these gestures reveal his true personality. His relationship with rookies, especially when he considers them well prepared for Formula 1, is always very motivating and inspiring for them.