Why Max Verstappen “could be a excellent team-mate” to a younger F1 driver

System 1 up-and-comer Gabriel Bortoleto believes four-time world champion Max Verstappen would make an ideal team-mate due to his potential to “unite” a squad.

For a lot of his F1 profession, the Dutchman has constructed up a repute of being one of many hardest drivers to have as your team-mate.

In a latest podcast look, ex-Crimson Bull driver Sergio Perez stated “being Max’s team-mate is the most effective and the worst job in F1, by far”.

However Audi’s Bortoleto, who made his F1 debut final 12 months with the previous Sauber outfit, sees the positives Verstappen brings to a group.

“Possibly Max will come to Audi sometime, who is aware of,” he stated, as reported by Speedweek.

We work very nicely collectively as mates. He helps me so much. That’s why I additionally consider he could be a excellent team-mate.

“As a result of when he joins a group, he manages to unite everybody. He didn’t win 4 world championship titles by probability.

“He turned world champion with a group that wasn’t but a world champion group when he joined.

“Then he helped construct it up and ensured it achieved victories.

“That’s why I consider it wouldn’t be a foul factor to work with him.

“After all, provided that he joins Audi, as a result of I’m positively pleased with my group and the challenge we’ve got right here.”

Verstappen joined Crimson Bull in 2016 after only a single full season with Toro Rosso, profitable on his debut for the Milton Keynes-based squad in Spain that 12 months.

The Dutchman lastly received his first world title in 2021, ending Crimson Bull’s championship drought courting again to 2013 with Sebastian Vettel.

He went on to win 4 successive championships between 2021 and 2024, lacking out on a fifth by simply two factors in unfancied equipment final 12 months.

Bortoleto was dropped at F1 by Sauber final season and loved a quietly spectacular first 12 months, scoring factors on 5 events.

He completed the season with a complete of 19 factors and a greatest end of sixth on the Hungarian Grand Prix.