Qualifying at the 2025 Austrian GP produced one of the most memorable moments of the season as Max Verstappen gave Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto a slipstream in Q3, propelling the Brazilian to his best-ever starting position in Formula 1.
The gesture came after Verstappen’s own session was compromised by a yellow flag for Pierre Gasly’s spin, putting sportsmanship and respect at the heart of a fiercely competitive afternoon at the Red Bull Ring.
When the final runs in Q3 were disrupted by yellow flags, Max Verstappen found himself out of contention for pole. Rather than simply heading back to the pits, Verstappen noticed Gabriel Bortoleto lining up behind him for the final straight.
With no way to improve his own time, Verstappen made a decision to offer Bortoleto a valuable tow, giving the Sauber rookie a crucial boost down the main straight before moving aside at Turn 1.
Verstappen explained his motivation after the session, saying, “Yes, because my lap was ruined anyway. I saw him behind me, and he has really had a good weekend so far, so I thought, let me try and help him a little bit.”
The result was immediate. Bortoleto went on to secure eighth on the grid—his highest qualifying position since moving up from Formula 2. The Brazilian was quick to express his gratitude and joked about their growing friendship on and off the track.
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“He always gives me a tow, he’s the best,” Bortoleto said. “He’s super kind, I tried to give him a tow as well from Turn 8 to Turn 9 but then there was a yellow flag. But I tried my best, I even tried to take the [battery] charge off to boost the engine.”
A Weekend of Highs and Lows for Both Drivers
The mutual respect between Max Verstappen and Gabriel Bortoleto is well known in the paddock, with both often racing together in online sim competitions such as iRacing. Verstappen’s supportive act in Austria underlines that sense of camaraderie and also showcases the lighter, more generous side of racing at the highest level.
Bortoleto’s eighth-place start at the Red Bull Ring is more than just a personal best—it is a sign that the reigning Formula 2 champion is settling into life at Sauber.
“I feel like it’s the first weekend that I’m that comfortable since FP1, things are clicking for me and I’m going in the right direction,” Bortoleto said. “It’s very promising and hopefully we can achieve this type of qualifying every single time. It’s not only coming from the team’s upgrades but also from myself, understanding the car.”
For Red Bull and Verstappen, it was a more frustrating day overall. The Dutchman, who has won four world championships, will start seventh after battling a lack of grip and unpredictable car behavior. Even so, his focus on teamwork and fair play left a positive impression amid a tough qualifying session.
With the main event still to come on Sunday, Bortoleto’s confidence is high after Austrian GP qualifying as he aims to convert his starting slot into a points finish. Verstappen, meanwhile, will be looking to make up ground and fight for a podium at Red Bull’s home race.
