The Audi driver, 22, defended his former F2 rival: "It's not fair to compare him to Max because of his age and because of everything he has achieved. I'm glad to see a young guy doing well," he added.
Gabriel Bortoleto believes that patience is needed with Kimi Antonelli, the 22 year old Audi driver, came out against the comparisons between the championship leader and Max Verstappen: "He needs time, I don't think it's fair to compare him to Max because of his age and because of everything he has achieved," he declared this Thursday on press day ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
The 19 year old Italian has had a spectacular start to the season, he leads the drivers' championship with 100 points, 20 ahead of his teammate George Russell, and is the only driver in history to have converted his first three poles into consecutive wins (China, Japan and Miami), despite the praise Bortoleto asks for caution.
"It's not fair, I'm very close to him in age, I've raced against him, so I don't want to talk about someone I feel I should be competing with. Right now he has a good car, he's doing a good job, he's having an incredible start to the season, winning three races in a row," the Brazilian insisted.
Bortoleto, who was F2 champion in 2024 (the same year Antonelli debuted in the category), said he was proud of what his former rival is doing: "I'm happy for him because it shows the talent our generation has with Ollie Bearman, Isack Hadjar, myself and the others. It's great to see a young guy doing well and I hope we all get the chance to have a good car and fight for that," he stated.
The Audi driver was also asked if Antonelli's success serves as motivation for him and his response was honest: "I wouldn't say it's motivating because I'm not the one in that situation, I'm glad he's doing an amazing job, he deserves it, he has talent. I've known him for a long time" he explained.
"He's in a very good car and he's doing the job he has to do, he's had a perfect start and deserves to lead the championship. But if that motivates me, it doesn't change anything in the sense that it doesn't make me more motivated to do well" he clarified.
Bortoleto, who has scored Audi's only two points so far this season (ninth in Australia), prefers to focus on his own project: "I have my job to do, I have my priorities, I have my project ahead of me and I'm sure we can do well in the future. We just need time and patience" he concluded.
The Brazilian, who shares the grid with Antonelli, Bearman and Hadjar (all debuted in 2025), believes his generation has plenty of talent but asks not to rush comparisons. Verstappen, with four world titles under his belt, is a level that only time will tell if Antonelli can reach.
