The last F1 seat, available from Stake F1, the future Audi team in 2026, could well be played out between two young drivers.
Mattia Binotto, the new director, has the possibility of waiting with one option oriented towards experience, Valtteri Bottas having agreed with the Italian, on the terms of his possible new contract or the other oriented towards youth, with a battle between Franco Colapinto, young Williams F1 driver and Gabriel Bortoleto, young McLaren F1 driver.
“We have the luxury of not being in a hurry, with all the other teams having decided their lineup,” said Binotto to Austin.
And Binotto clearly has his eyes on Colapinto, who continues to impress the world of F1, with another regular entry into the points during the last Grand Prix. Everything is pushing to find common ground with the Argentinian and Williams F1.
But McLaren has not said its last word and Zak Brown is also ready to find a “solution” with Stake F1 for Gabriel Bortoleto, the F2 driver's chances however diminishing significantly after Colapinto's repeated demonstrations.
“Gabriel is not in F1 like Franco but he is an excellent racing driver,” replies Brown, when asked about the chances of Binotto calling him alongside Nico Hülkenberg.
“For now our priority is to help him win the Formula 2 championship as I said.”
Brown also stated that he was “unlikely at the moment” for Bortoleto to be called up to F1.
“I'm realistic, the rising value over the last few races is Franco and James (Vowles) is also willing to lend him because he also has two drivers already signed for the long term. But you never know, you have to be two to find an agreement on the requirements of each.”
Andrea Stella, for his part, said he was open to finding a solution but admitted he would like to keep control of Bortoleto in some way.
“If Mattia Binotto comes to see me, when you have such talent, we are certainly not going to prevent him from having a chance in Formula 1. Zak was clear and I am 100%.”
“At the same time, we would certainly be interested in looking at a way to keep him within the McLaren family, because I think he is a talent that could be important for McLaren in the future.”
“We are secure in the long term with both of our drivers. We couldn't be happier. But we would certainly like to keep him in the McLaren family. I'm sure we could find a solution if Sauber wants him in their single-seater in 2025.”
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