As the Monaco Grand Prix approaches, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen playfully poked fun at Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto regarding their upcoming work in the race simulator ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.
Starting in 2026, engines will be powered half by internal combustion and half by electric energy. This significant shift promises to shake up the grid and introduce an element of uncertainty around the rankings for the next race.
Drivers have started expressing concerns about potential power issues from the new power units affecting their performance over an entire lap, raising several questions about the effectiveness of the upcoming regulations.
While teams and drivers remain focused on the current season, at some point, attention will inevitably turn to the new rules. When Bortoleto was asked how Sauber measures up against the competition, he turned to Verstappen for insights into Red Bull’s approach.
“I think it’s a bit difficult to know at this stage. It’s a bit too early, also comparing to other teams. Sometimes I try to ask Max, but he never tells me how they are doing with engine and car,” he said.
In response to the request from Bortoleto, Verstappen wanted some information in return about what Sauber is cooking up for the next season.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“If you tell me what you do, I can tell you a little bit of what I do,” the Dutch driver said.
Bortoleto suggested that Red Bull has been excelling for years and feels he could learn more from Verstappen than he could teach the four-time champion.
“But I think we are in a different situation right now. You can help me more than I can.”
Verstappen then challenged Bortoleto to beat a lap set by him in the simulator.
“I’ll help you with the sim driving. I put the banker lap, and then you spend a hundred laps to beat it, and then we continue.”
The young rookie disagreed with the claim that it would take him 100 laps, stating he could accomplish the challenge in fewer.
“That’s not true. I don’t spend a hundred laps. Only fifty!” he joked.
During the summer break, all teams and drivers should begin preparing for the new regulations. This period may even provide an opportunity for the two drivers to determine who is indeed faster in the simulator.
