Shanna is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog, specializing in both F1 and endurance and GT racing. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and experience at international circuits, she provides in-depth, reliable coverage and insights based on her presence at Grands Prix and racing events worldwide.
Max Verstappen was quick to jump on another critique of the 2026 rules.
The four-time world champion has been one of the biggest opponents of the new era of regulations, even suggesting they may lead to him departing the sport.
So when his good friend Gabriel Bortoleto gave a new line of attack, Verstappen was only too pleased to jump on.
Speaking to the media, including GPBlog, the Dutchman was faced with the Audi driver’s remarks that driving styles matter less and there is more need for adaptation this year.
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Verstappen agrees with Bortoleto's assessment
“Who said that?” Verstappen responded when Bortoleto’s words were put to him. “Yes, he’s right.
“Your driving style must always adapt to what’s fastest. I could say: ‘This is my driving style and this is how I drive the car’, but I can tell you that at Spa you’d lose half a second.
“That shows how strange things are at the moment. Welcome to Formula 1 in 2026: sometimes it’s like a jungle.
“So he is right. You have to adapt. Your ability to adapt is incredibly important. But that goes for every racing category you’ve driven in, all the way up to Formula 1.
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Max Verstappen agrees with good friend Gabriel Bortoleto - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
“I think you always have to adapt to what works best for the car you’re driving at that moment.”
Bortoleto explains why adaptation matters more than driving style
Bortoleto added that he hasn’t actually changed his driving style at all. The Brazilian also realises he only drove for a year in the previous generation of Formula 1 cars and therefore has little basis for comparison with a driver like Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton, but he stands by his point.
“I don’t think I’ve changed my way of driving much. In fact, I actually don’t like the term ‘driving style,’ because I don’t believe a Formula 1 driver should be saying something like that,” Bortoleto said.
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“We have to be able to adapt, even if it might not feel natural. We have to be capable of handling every type of car and driving the car the way it demands. That’s why we do what we do and that’s why we’re the 22 drivers in the world who race in Formula 1.
“Ultimately, it comes down to which car you have and how you need to drive it. Compared to last year, I haven’t changed my way of driving much, but of course you do refine a few things here and there.”
Gabriel Bortoleto believes drivers’ adaptability is now the most important factor - Photo: Racepictures
Among the changes Bortoleto has made, one of the keys is how he deploys energy out of corners.
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He explained: “Because of that, you know you can attack the entry of a corner a bit harder and worry less about the exit, since no energy is being deployed there anyway. Or the other way around: sometimes you have to be more cautious on turn-in, because a long straight follows where a lot of energy is used.
“Those are the things you need to adjust. Last year, all of that was much more consistent, so you had to take it into account far less.”
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Dutch Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 21.08.26
Practice 1
10:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
02:30 PM
Saturday 22.08.26
Sprint Race
10:00 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 23.08.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 21.08.26
Practice 1
Fri 10:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
Fri 02:30 PM
Saturday 22.08.26
Sprint Race
Sat 10:00 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 23.08.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 219 | |
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