Sauber ended months of hypothesis on Wednesday, filling out their driver lineup for the 2025 Method 1 season.
Welcome to the grid, Gabriel Bortoleto.
After saying again within the dash that veteran driver Nico Hülkenberg would transfer to the crew for the 2025 season, a yr earlier than Sauber turns into the Audi F1 works operation, the crew debated for months who would get that second seat. Present drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have been talked about as prospects, with younger phenom Franco Colapinto — whose efficiency to date since becoming a member of the grid as a midseason substitute has turned heads — was additionally a possible choice.
Nonetheless, another choice was Bortoleto, the present championship chief in F2 and a member of the McLaren Driver Improvement Program.
Sauber introduced two phases on Wednesday, first saying that Zhou and Bottas wouldn’t be with the crew subsequent yr, adopted by the announcement of Bortoleto becoming a member of the crew for 2025 on a multi-year deal.
“Gabriel has already demonstrated within the junior classes that he has what it takes to be a successful driver. We’re more than happy that he’ll change into a crew member of Sauber and Audi. Along with Gabriel, we’re on a journey in direction of success, and we’ll evolve right into a unified power to form a brand new period for Audi in motorsport,” mentioned Mattia Binotto, the COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport. “Nico and Gabriel signify the perfect mixture of expertise and youth, positioning us strongly for the longer term.”
The younger driver referred to as it a “true honor” within the announcement.
“This is likely one of the most fun initiatives in motorsport, if not in all of sports activities. Becoming a member of a crew that mixes the wealthy motorsport historical past of Sauber and Audi is a real honor,” mentioned Bortoleto. “Past merely being a member, I goal to develop with this formidable challenge and attain the head of motorsport. I’m extremely grateful for the chance given to me by the crew and for the prospect to work alongside an skilled driver like Nico. Each applications have a confirmed observe report of nurturing younger expertise, and I’m assured that collectively we’ll write our personal success story.”
The information leaves only one seat open for subsequent yr, the second seat at Visa Money App RB F1 Staff. Liam Lawson at present occupies that spot, however the drama inside the Pink Bull household concerning that spot — in addition to the seat at present occupied by Sergio Pérez — reveals no indicators of slowing down.
