Gabriel Bortoleto has shared the advice from Max Verstappen that meant the most to him during his first year in Formula 1.
The Brazilian stepped up to F1 last season with Sauber, partnering Nico Hulkenberg for his debut campaign.
Bortoleto adapted quickly to the demands of the championship, scoring 19 points and often holding his own against a team-mate with over a decade of experience.
Like most rookies, his season also included setbacks. The most difficult came at his home race in Brazil, where he suffered a heavy accident during the Sprint.
Verstappen, a long-time supporter of Bortoleto, remained a steady presence throughout the year.
When asked by media to pinpoint the most valuable advice he received from the four-time World Champion, Bortoleto explained that it was not easy to narrow it down.
“He gave me many, I think it’s difficult to put one,” he said.
“But let’s put one that I heard recently from him. It’s that in my rookie season, I already did a lot this year, and that I should not worry much in case mistakes happen.”
Verstappen emphasised that mistakes are unavoidable and often essential for progress, particularly in a first season.
“Mistakes are the moments that you improve the most and they’re going to happen to everyone,” Bortoleto continued.
“I shouldn’t just kill myself inside, because it happened once or twice that I did something wrong, they’re going to happen eventually.
“I just need to learn from them and move on.”
While the message itself was simple, Bortoleto admitted it carried extra significance given who it came from.
“It’s a simple thing that a lot of people say, but when you hear it from someone who’s achieved so much in the sport, it means a lot more.”
Bortoleto will transition alongside Hulkenberg to the new Audi outfit, the German marque taking over the Sauber entry in 2026.
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