Photo: Race Pictures

Rookie backs Verstappen: 'He deserves the world title'

09:42, 04 Dec

Updated: 10:17, 04 Dec

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byKada Sarkozi

Gabriel Bortoleto believes Max Verstappen deserves the 2025 world title being the best in the world.

"I think he proved that he was the best driver in the world this year, so I think he deserves the title."

- Gabriel Bortoleto

The Brazilian driver sees it hard to predict who will be crowned champion this Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

Talking to GPblog, he explained: "I think what has been happening the last weekends, no one really expected that could happen, so it's impossible to predict.

"My opinion is that it's super close, obviously there's still a gap of 12 points and we know that there is not really much competition against Red Bull and McLaren. When Max is winning, McLaren is just there behind.

"So it's not going to be easy, [there's] still a gap. If Max wins, I think Lando [Norris] needs to finish P3 and then he's the champion. So, definitely it's not going to be easy."

Verstappen is the 'best driver'

The Sauber rookie believes the best driver should become the champion, who in this case would be Verstappen.

He continued: "I think the World Championship is about the best driver in the world and I think this season at least Max has made less mistakes than anyone else. I think he proved that he was the best driver in the world this year, so I think he deserves the title."

Verstappen and Bortoleto at an FIA press conference - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Bortoleto might take a peek at the screens during the Grand Prix

The rookie hopes to be able to do his weekend without being involved in the battle himself.

"I'm not sure about [everyone paying more attention] qualifying because everyone is trying to do their best, we are also racing for ourselves, but in the race definitely if you are there you got a blue flag, you don't want to be the reason why something happens let's put it in this way.

"Even if you are fighting with them, you never know, obviously, if they're fighting for the world title is because they are fighting for the win and realistically we are not there.

"Hopefully I'm not involved I can do my own race and finish in a good position without getting involved with that."

Depending on how the race goes, Bortoleto will check on the screens how the title battle is going.

He concluded: "If the race is boring, then I will be looking."

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