F1 star says best driver between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is clear
A Formula 1 rookie has made a bold claim about who he considers the greatest driver in the sport's history. And it is not seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton who gets the vote of Gabriel Bortoleto, who is in his first season with midfield outfit Sauber.
Instead, the 20-year-old Brazilian racer places Max Verstappen on the same pedestal as his compatriot, the legendary Ayrton Senna. Speaking to Motorsport.com , Bortoleto said: "For me, along with Ayrton Senna, he [Verstappen] is the best driver of all time.
"I really admire his way of approaching races, his way of understanding the sport, of understanding the car and the calmness with which he faces everything."
Interestingly, Verstappen played a significant role in shaping Bortoleto's career even before he joined Sauber, which will become the Audi works team from next year. The Dutch ace, who bonded with Bortoleto over video games, ensured that key figures in other teams were aware of the young Brazilian's talent.
Sign up to our free weekly F1 newsletter, Pit Lane Chronicle, by entering your email address below so that every new edition lands straight in your inbox!
Bortoleto added: "We started playing video games and simulators together more and more. Since then, we've been in touch a lot and he helps me a lot. For example, he helped me a lot on my way to F1 by giving me a lot of advice and recommendations, and talking about me with people in the paddock."
He also spoke of how Jonathan Wheatley, the Sauber team principal, had some encouraging words for a rising star in F1. "Jonathan told me that even before I joined Sauber-Audi, Max was very positive about me. READ MORE: F1 stewards issue statement after Max Verstappen penalty decision over towel incident READ MORE: Ferrari chairman John Elkann makes 'important' demand of F1 team amid Lewis Hamilton woe
"I know Max doesn't usually talk about this himself, especially in front of the media, but it's something he helped me with – talking about me to people in F1. I was getting good results and he wanted to help me."
Despite only notching up six points so far this season and being dubbed a "B-standard" driver by Red Bull adviser and young driver chief Helmut Marko, Bortoleto took that particular comment on the chin. He confidently stated: "I've seen that [quote] and I love challenges.
Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package
Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky's new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192.
As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
"I think, hearing that from Helmut, he is a guy that has put a lot of talents in Formula 1, and has put a lot of wrong talents already in F1, so you can see he got it right and wrong and, hopefully, I will prove him wrong with time.
"But nothing I can say now in the media would change his mind, just my results on track, and I'm sure I'm going to prove him wrong at some point and, hopefully, he will admit this when I prove him wrong."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Ferrari told to snub Oliver Bearman for 'super' F1 rookie to replace Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton raised doubts over his own Formula 1 future at the Hungarian Grand Prix when he responded to his qualifying nightmare by saying Ferrari 'should change driver' Bernie Ecclestone thinks Ferrari should look towards two Formula 1 rookies when identifying a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton. But the 94-year-old former F1 supremo did not mention the name of Oliver Bearman who is the one actually being prepared by Ferrari as Hamilton's eventual successor. Hamilton's future is firmly in the spotlight right now as a result of his comments at the Hungarian Grand Prix. After qualifying 12th in Budapest, the seven-time F1 champion declared himself "useless" and said his team "probably need to change driver". His mood was not much better a day later when he failed to make any progress in the race and finished where he started, one lap down on the leaders. But Hamilton did at least tell reporters that he would be back after the summer break and that he still loves racing. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has also jumped to the defence of his driver and it is understood that the team is not even beginning to entertain the idea of replacing Hamilton, either during this season or before the end of his contract which currently runs until the end of 2026. If they were to make a change, they would in theory turn to one of their reserve drivers, Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazzi, both of whom are former F1 racers with Sauber, or British academy graduate Bearman who is currently plying his trade with customer team Haas and who is seen as Hamilton's eventual successor. But Bernie Ecclestone believes there are a couple of other rookies on the grid who should also be considered. "If I could steal him, I would take Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls," the former F1 supremo told Mail Sport. "He has done super well in his first year and is a great guy. I also rate our friend from Brazil [Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto ]. He is talented. Both of them are sensible, too." While it is unlikely that Hamilton will give up on his dream of winning an eighth F1 title just yet, Ecclestone believes it is time for the 40-year-old to move on. He said: "Lewis is very talented, was and probably still is. But, like a lot of leading sports personalities when they reach the top, there is only one way to go, and it is not a good direction. It is only down. Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £43 £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Product Description "They get tired. Lewis is tired. He has been doing what he is doing forever. He needs a rest from it for good, a total reset to do something completely different. He may not think it, but he will soon get used to doing other stuff away from motor racing in retirement. I think he should have done it a while ago. The guy is not a cheat. But he would be cheating himself if he goes on. He should stop now. "If I were looking after him I would negotiate with Ferrari immediately and say, 'If you have someone to replace Lewis, he will step aside. He is not fighting for a World championship and is at a stage of his life when it would not be worth him spending two years laid up in bed with a broken back or anything else nasty. He does not need to take the risk any longer. He has won seven world titles and that is quite enough."
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I can be good enough' – Premier League star reveals plans to become pro darts player when he hangs up his boots
The defender revealed he spoke to one darts star after they won the World Cup Hart set on it 'I can be good enough' – Premier League star reveals plans to become pro darts player when he hangs up his boots Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PREMIER LEAGUE star Quilindschy Hartman has revealed his career plans to become a darts player when he hangs up his boots. Hartman, 23, made the revelation during an interview with Sky Sports. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Burnley's Quilindschy Hartman has backed himself to become a darts professional when he retires from football Credit: Getty 3 He named Dutchman Michael van Gerwen as one of his heroes Credit: Getty The Dutch defender signed for Burnley on a four-year contract this summer from Feyenoord in a deal reportedly worth £7.7million with a further £2.55m in add-ons. And it seems once the left-back is done flying down the wing of a football pitch, he instead wants to sort out his flights to throw at a darts board. Asked about his wish to one day go pro, Hartman explained: "I said it a little bit as a joke, of course, but I like to play. "I know a few players. Darts is pretty big in Holland and I just like to play when I have time off. READ MORE IN DARTS PAT ON THE BACK Darts presenter Emma Paton lands new job after Sky Sports shakeup "I play with my friends a lot and I watch it a lot, and I went to a few tournaments as well." He continued: "I will try [to go pro], that's not a joke. I know for sure after my career I will play competitions. And then lets see. "I can be good enough because I can average 75 or something and I think you can go to Q school with 80 - and I don't practice regularly. "So I think if I go full [time] then I can maybe go pro." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Hartman added that his darts heroes were Michael van Gerwen, but gave a special shoutout to Michael Smith after revealing he spoke to him after he won the World Cup. He also mentioned Luke Humphries, Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting, adding that he follows all of them on Instagram. Quilindschy Hartman returns to training after recovering from injury Prior to his Prem switch, Hartman's entire professional career had been at Feyenoord. He made his Eredivisie debut back in 2022 and last season played 12 games in the league before a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. 3 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Lando Norris closes the gap! The Brit shortens to a 5/4 second-favourite to win the F1 Drivers' Championship after his victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Lando Norris closed the gap on his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri on Sunday - with the Brit winning the Hungarian Grand Prix. As a result of his victory - Norris sits just nine points shy of Piastri in the Drivers' Championship standings. Following the victory over the weekend - let's take a look at the odds the McLaren teammates are garnering to be crowned champion in 2025. Piastri remains the best-backed with Sky Bet to win his maiden F1 title - with the Australian priced at a short 4/7. Meanwhile, if you're tipping Norris to chase Piastri down and overtake him in the standings enroute to the Drivers' Championship - he is a 5/4 second-favourite to win the title. Both drivers will be back in action at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, August 31. Sky Bet favourites to win the F1 Drivers' Championship: Oscar Piastri 4/7 Lando Norris 5/4 Max Verstappen 50/1
