Formula 1 newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto directly addressed Dr Helmut Marko after the Red Bull advisor branded him a 'B-grade' driver in recent media remarks.
The 20-year-old Brazilian, who claimed the F2 title last year, faced harsh scrutiny recently from Marko, who noted: "He only had two wins.
"He's a very intelligent driver who brings the car home, but I don't see that ultimate speed in him."
Bortoleto, under the management of F1 icon Fernando Alonso, swiftly countered. "Hearing that from Helmut—he's a guy who has put a lot of talent in Formula 1 and has put a lot of wrong talents in F1.
"So, you can see he got it right and wrong and hopefully I will prove him wrong."
A subsequent photograph captured Bortoleto engaging with Marko, 81, in the paddock. Formula 1 journalist Julianne Cerasoli inquired about the confrontation between the Sauber driver and Marko.
"They had never spoken before, so he called Marko to officially introduce himself," she reported.
"The Austrian even clarified the statement about the 'B driver'. Marko said that what came out in the press was worse than what he said at the time, and that he thinks Gabriel is a very intelligent driver. And everything is fine between the two of them.
"And no, he (Marko) didn't offer (Bortoleto) any position. Gabriel has a long-term contract with Audi, just to be clear."
