Bortoleto joins Sauber for the 2025 season

Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto has joined the Audi-owned Sauber team for next year’s F1 season. The 20-year-old, currently leading the Formula 2 championship, will team up with German veteran Nico Hulkenberg. As a result, Sauber’s current drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, will not race in F1 next season.

Mattia Binotto said signing Bortoleto was an easy decision due to his impressive career, including a Formula 3 championship. Binotto praised Bortoleto for demonstrating his winning potential in junior categories.

Bortoleto, managed by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, has been part of McLaren’s driver development program. McLaren confirmed that they would release him at the end of the 2024 season to pursue the opportunity at Sauber.

Binotto shared that Bortoleto’s youth and attitude impressed him during their meeting. “He can really be a leader for the team,” Binotto said. Bortoleto expressed excitement about joining the ambitious Audi F1 project, aiming to grow with the team and reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

Binotto, who previously served as Ferrari’s team principal, noted that turning Sauber into a competitive team under Audi would take several seasons, with the goal of fighting for a championship by 2030.

Sauber also released statements thanking Bottas and Zhou for their contributions. Bottas reflected on his time with the team, appreciated the journey, but acknowledged that they couldn’t meet the conditions for further growth together.

Bortoleto’s signing marks Brazil’s return to a full-time F1 presence since Felipe Massa’s retirement in 2017. Brazil, known for its F1 success, has produced multiple world champions, including Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna.