Verstappen helps Sauber rookie Bortoleto achieve best starting position in Austrian GP

Max Verstappen helped Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto by providing a slipstream in Austrian GP qualifying — after his own lap was disrupted by yellow flags due to Alpine’s Pierre Gasly spinning at the final corner.

Despite being unable to complete his second Q3 run, the four-time world champion decided to assist the Brazilian driver with a tow on the main straight. The two are known to have a good relationship and frequently race together on the iRacing platform.

“Yes, because my lap was ruined anyway. I saw him behind and he’s been performing well all weekend, so I thought I could help him a bit,” Verstappen told Viaplay.

“He always gives me a tow, he’s the best,” Bortoleto laughed. “He’s super kind, I also tried to give him a tow from Turn 8 to Turn 9 but there was a yellow flag.”

Bortoleto, last year’s F2 champion, secured eighth position on the grid — his best result so far in his rookie F1 season. He acknowledged feeling more comfortable with his car since the first practice session.