Gabriel Bortoleto reacts to Max Verstappen's support and his 'keep an eye' message to Red Bull

Sauber Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto has responded to Max Verstappen's recent confession that he had told Red Bull to keep an eye on the Brazilian driver ahead of his F1 debut.

During an appearance on the Pelas Pistas podcast alongside Bortoleto, Verstappen explained: "I already said to the team before you even got to Formula 1, ‘keep an eye on Gabi.' But now we’re all here, and let’s just see how it evolves."

Bortoleto responded to the four-time champion's claims while speaking to the media ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, confirming that Verstappen has supported him throughout his career and he knew the Dutchman had spoken to Red Bull about him, but he didn't know specifics.

"It's great, I mean there's no news that I have a very good relationship with him. Max has always supported me a lot in the junior series as well growing up, but he was always very realistic with me as well.

Read also :

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

"I never asked him to do anything for me, I asked a lot of advice for my future and decisions I wanted to take, where to go, opportunities I had. I asked him, 'What do you think? Where should I go, here or there?' and he would help me with that.

"I knew he talked with Red Bull, but I didn't know when he was or something, when he told that in the podcast, I was a bit like, 'oh OK that's nice, from him back in the time to do that.'"

He added: "But yeah, even Jonathan [Wheatley, team principal] said that many times before they signed me here, Max said to him, 'keep an eye on this guy, he can be very good in Formula 1'. I don't want to say too much, let him tell you this. But definitely that's very nice from him to do that."

Bortoleto, who ultimately signed with Sauber for his F1 rookie season, currently sits 19th in the drivers' standings with 19 points.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team