Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took a stand on the heated driver situation.
The second race driver of the Formula 1 team Sauber next season is still not clear. Enjoyed three seasons in the team Valtteri Bottas35, has been considered the favorite for that spot, but the situation has stalled.
Sauber has reportedly offered Bottas a one-year contract, but the Finn wants a two-year deal. There have also been rumors about that place Franco Colapinto, Theo Pourchaire, Mick Schumacher mixed Gabriel Bortoleto.
The biggest name in Formula 1 at the moment, a three-time world champion Max Verstappen expressed his opinion about Sauber’s driver patterns. He flags the name of the Brazilian Bortoleto.
The 20-year-old Bortoleto leads the F2 series this year in his first season. There are still two weekends left in the season, and Bortoleto and the Frenchman, who used the championship by Isack Hadjar between.
Bortoleto’s displays are convincing, as last year he won the F3 series. Bortoleto is part of McLaren’s driver academy.
– If I was at Sauber, I would have caught him already, Verstappen stated at the press conference of the weekend’s race in Brazil, The Race by.
Opportunities for young people
Formula 1 has seen this season how young drivers have driven excellently in F1 races with very short notice. At the beginning of the season in Bahrain, 19 years old Ollie Bearman your luck with an emergency alert Carlos Sainzbeing seventh.
The 21-year-old Colapinto, on the other hand, has been sacked for running around by Logan Sargeant instead to Williams. The Argentine has often been better than his experienced teammate Alexander Albon.
Next season, Carlos Sainz will drive as Williams’ second race driver, so Colapinto will be left without a driver’s place.
Verstappen says that Colapinto’s case should serve as an example for teams to choose a young driver. He reminds that in 2026 the rules will change a lot, so the teams should prepare for the future already at this stage.
– It’s good to get used to the team for a year and make mistakes. Understand the car so I’m more ready when the 2026 season comes, says Verstappen.
Max Verstappen has a strong connection to Brazil. His girlfriend is Kelly Piquetthe three-time F1 champion Nelson’s daughter.