Sauber announces Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025 F1 season

Sauber has confirmed that Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto will drive in 2025 alongside Nico Hulkenberg as the team prepares to switch to Audi in 2026.

The team announced on Wednesday that Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will leave at the end of the season.

São Paulo’s Bortoleto joins from Formula 2 and leads the championship with two rounds remaining. The 20-year-old joined McLaren’s driver program in 2023.

The team said in a statement: “We are currently witnessing a generational shift in Formula 1, with young drivers making an immediate impact. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents.

“His signature underlines Audi’s long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1.”

Bortoleto said: “Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honor. Beyond just being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport.”

The Brazilian later spoke to reporters from Sauber’s factory and joked about his relationship with Fernando Alonso, who founded the A14 management company he is part of.

“We always joke about it, to be honest, because before I was born he started racing in Formula 1,” the reigning F3 champion and F2 leader told reporters. “And now I’m getting there, hopefully I’ll be riding with him.

“He’s obviously helped me a lot on my journey and taught me a lot of things and supported me … and yeah, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m going to have a good time with him.”

Sauber boss Mattia Binotto was at Ferrari when Alonso drove for the Italian team between 2010-14, but said the Spaniard had stayed in the background when it came to talks about Bortoleto’s future.

“We met on the pitch, but he never influenced, he never really tried to make convincing arguments with me,” said the Italian. “I think what convinced me was Gabriel and nothing else. With Fernando I once had a talk, but really very, very little.”

Bottas leaves the team after three seasons. Last week he raised the possibility of returning to his former world championship team Mercedes as a reserve driver, where he won 10 races.

Sauber said in a statement: “Within the driver line-up, Valtteri has been a driving force, lifting both his teammate and the team with his exceptional experience, enthusiasm, invaluable technical insight and fighting spirit.

“Joining as a rookie, Zhou formed a strong partnership with teammate Valtteri Bottas, the duo blending experience and youthful enthusiasm. Zhou’s learning curve was steep, but the Shanghai-born driver made rapid progress and continued to establish himself as a reliable performer and an exciting driver with the ability to attack.

“With three races still to run in the 2024 season, Zhou and the team will do their best to finish this journey in the most successful way: there is a job to be done and everyone in the team is determined to get it done in best way.”