Steiner’s dream F1 team? Verstappen paired with rookie sensation Bortoleto
Guenther Steiner has revealed his dream Formula 1 driver lineup, and it’s a fascinating mix of proven champion and raw talent.
“I would take Max Verstappen for sure,” the former Haas boss said in a recent interview.
But who would join the four-time world champion? Steiner has his eye on F1 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, currently impressing at Stake F1.
“I always said I would take Oscar Piastri before. But I think now I would take one of the rookies, Gabriel Bortoleto. I would take Max and Gabriel,” Steiner explained.
The outspoken Italian didn’t stop at just picking drivers. He laid out his vision for the entire operation.
Steiner wants a Mercedes-style structure supporting his dream duo, with legendary designer Adrian Newey heading up the technical side. And of course, Steiner himself would be calling the shots from the pit wall.
“He would need some people around him, but we could find them afterwards,” he said. “I think that would be quite a successful team, and me as team principal, obviously!”
## Verstappen: Mentoring the next generation
It’s not just Steiner who sees something special in Bortoleto. Verstappen himself has taken the young Brazilian under his wing.
During the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Bortoleto opened up about his relationship with the Dutch champion.
The former Formula 2 champion revealed that Max has been crucial to his development as a driver.
Verstappen regularly helps him learn track layouts and shares racing tips for both real-world driving and sim racing – something Bortoleto finds incredibly valuable.
Perhaps most touching is that this isn’t just a new mentorship. Bortoleto gratefully noted that the 28-year-old Verstappen has actually been supporting him since his Formula 3 days.
It’s this kind of relationship that shows why Steiner’s dream pairing might actually work in reality – a perfect blend of established success and promising talent.
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