Gabriel Bortoleto has secured his coveted F1 seat with Sauber for the 2025 season. The 20-year-old Brazilian, who has clinched the Formula 3 championship and currently leads the Formula 2 standings, will partner with experienced driver Nico Hulkenberg at the Hinwil-based team. Bortoleto's promotion marks a significant step in his burgeoning career, making him the first Brazilian driver to compete in F1 since Felipe Massa in 2017. This move coincides with Sauber's preparations for Audi's takeover in 2026, signalling a new era for the team. To facilitate Bortoleto's F1 debut, McLaren will release the talented young driver. With this signing, only one seat remains open for the 2025 season, at VCARB, Red Bull's sister team.
COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport AG Mattia Binotto said: 'Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a team member of Sauber and Audi. Together with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success, and we will evolve into a unified force to shape a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth, positioning us strongly for the future.'
Gabriel Bortoleto said: 'This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports. Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour. Beyond simply being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and for the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico. Both programs have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story.'
Gabriel Bortoleto is set to become the next Brazilian star to grace the Formula 1 grid. The talented young driver will make his F1 debut in 2025, marking the return of a full-time Brazilian driver to the sport since Felipe Massa's retirement in 2017.
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Bortoleto's signing with Sauber has significant implications for the team's 2025 lineup. Current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will be without seats next year, as the team seeks to improve its performance with a new driver pairing.
With Bottas reportedly considering a reserve driver role with Mercedes, the future of both drivers remains uncertain. As Bortoleto prepares to embark on his F1 journey, fans eagerly anticipate his impact on the sport.
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