Gabriel Bortoleto has branded Max Verstappen’s resurgence in the Formula 1 title fight as “one of the best comebacks of a championship in history”.
Verstappen’s late-season form has reignited the championship battle, with three victories in four races seeing him gain 64 points on Oscar Piastri.
Heading into this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, Verstappen now lies 40 points behind Piastri, who harbours a 14-point lead over Lando Norris.
The Dutchman’s surge has coincided with renewed technical progress at Red Bull, allowing him to challenge the previously untouchable McLarens.
“Well, there is not really much secret. I think what he’s doing is incredible,” Bortoleto told media including Motorsport Week.
“It’s one of the best comebacks of a championship in my view ever done in history.
“Let’s see what he can achieve. I think he’s been winning recently quite a lot.
“I think McLaren have been strong but not as strong as maybe the beginning of the year when they were 1-2 every round.
“Everything can happen but I think definitely he’s doing an amazing job.”
Verstappen’s form shifts the title picture
Bortoleto agreed with comments from Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies, who claimed Verstappen’s comeback was already “history in the making”.
“Yeah, definitely. I agree with that,” Bortoleto concurred.
“I think he didn’t have the best car or even the top three car for most of the parts of the year. And he has been able to be in the title fight for this long.
“And now that they found out some good stuff with the car and he’s been able to put some good performance, I believe it’s what he said. It’s already history.”
Asked whether Verstappen’s recent points haul changes the outlook approaching the last five races, Bortoleto dismissed attempts to quantify his chances.
“There is no percentage. Even if you were 10 points ahead in the championship, you cannot make a percentage of this. Everything can happen,” he explained.
“Who would expect that he would be fighting for the championship after they saw how McLaren started the year, for example.
“It’s impossible to put [a] percentage [on it] and I really think people should stop talking about it because no one will give you a right answer or wrong answer.
“It will be only time that will tell you what’s the truth.”
Despite McLaren’s strong form, Verstappen’s ability to close what was a 104-point deficit departing the Dutch Grand Prix in August has impressed the Brazilian.
“I’m not surprised that he has been able to do this,” he shared.
“But I’m surprised that they have been able to evolve the car so much since, you know, summer break.
“That surprises me because it’s not easy to do that, especially when you’re already in a good level like they are.”
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