Verstappen criticizes current Formula 1 and praises Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto.

On the eve of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, Max Verstappen once again demonstrated his direct and unfiltered style. In an interview on the podcast Pelas Pistas, hosted by Christian Fittipaldi, Nelsinho Piquet, and Thiago Alves, the four-time Formula 1 world champion criticized the current format of the category and, at the same time, praised Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, considered one of the great promises of the new generation.

When asked about his favorite tracks, the Red Bull driver didn't hesitate to express his opinion:

"I don't like street circuits, so in general I find them more challenging, but only because I don't like them. I think the F1 car doesn't belong on the street circuit, even in Monaco. Let's say, if Monaco wasn't on the calendar and now they asked to race there, it wouldn't be possible. It's just because it's historic. And that's fine, but the cars are too long, wide and heavy. And that hurts the race."

Verstappen also compared current Formula 1 to that of two decades ago, emphasizing how much he misses the excitement and distinctive sound of the cars from that era:

"I'd like to go back to the 2000s. Between 2000 and 2005. I think the sound of the cars, the engine… When I was a kid, even before I was in the paddock, when those cars went by, you got goosebumps. It didn't matter if the car was going 300 or 350 km/h. It was incredible. And now sometimes it's almost like a vacuum cleaner. Okay, it's better for our ears, but the thrill is a little less."

Despite the criticism, the Dutchman seemed enthusiastic when commenting on Bortoleto, who also participated in the incident. Verstappen highlighted the talent and attitude of the 21-year-old Brazilian driver:

"What I like about him is that he's himself, and no matter how successful you are or what you're driving, he's hungry and always wants to be better. He's very critical too. And I think that's very important, especially when you start out in the world of F1. Many people come up to you, wanting to become friends, but it's very important to understand who your real friends are, to have the right people around you. He's a super cool guy, but a killer on the track. And I think that's what you need to succeed in F1."

With his usual candid tone, Verstappen once again provoked reflection on the direction of Formula 1 and, at the same time, gave a dose of confidence to one of the most promising names in Brazilian motorsport.