If Sauber has already confirmed that Nico Hülkenberg will have a seat for the 2025 F1 season, we still do not know the identity of the driver who will accompany the German next year.
As the 2024 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix takes place this weekend, everything suggests that Brazil will have a new driver in Formula 1 in the coming weeks. According to the German media Car Motor and Sportthe young 20-year-old Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto should play alongside Nico Hülkenberg at Sauber in 2025 before becoming an Audi factory driver from 2026.
The contract between the team and Bortoleto has even already been signed and the formalization should take place after the Brazilian Grand Prix in order to limit the media storm that this announcement should generate.
A bold choice from Audi
Audi, which chose Sauber for its arrival in Formula during the 2026 season, has therefore decided to entrust its second seat to one of the most talented drivers of his generation. The young Brazilian driver was in particular in battle with other talents like Gabriel Bortoleto, Franco Colapinto, Felipe Drugovich, Théo Pourchaire or Mick Schumacher for the second seat at Sauber which will become Audi in 2026. A rumor which does not date from today today since the press had already mentioned Sauber's interest in enlisting Gabriel Bortoleto to replace Bottas next season at the end of summer.
Gabriel Bortoleto has the perfect CV for Audi. Winner of the Formula 3 championship last season, the Brazilian is currently leading the Formula 2 championship, for his first season in the discipline, with two rounds remaining. Max Verstappen particularly praised the young driver a few weeks ago: “If I were Sauber, I would have already fixed the contract”.
Junior driver for McLaren, the director of the British team Andrea Stella confirmed a few hours ago that his young talent has the authorization to negotiate with other teams for a seat in 2025. “With such a history of success, it is normal that other Formula 1 teams are interested in Gabriel. McLaren won't stand in Gabriel's way if he gets the chance to race in Formula 1.” declared the big boss of McLaren a few hours before the sprint race of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Gabriel Bortoleto pushes Bottas towards retirement
The arrival of Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber next season should therefore end the Formula 1 career of Valtteri Bottas. Even if he announced that he wanted to extend with Sauber next season, the Finnish driver is having a nightmare season with the Swiss team. While he has won 10 Grands Prix throughout his career, Bottas has done no better than 13th place at this year's Canadian Grand Prix and is in last place in the drivers' standings. At the same time, his teammate Nico Hülkenberg has pocketed 31 points since the start of the season. At 35, the former Mercedes driver is heading straight towards his retirement in Formula 1, more than 10 years after his debut in the premier category.
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