Rumors
Report: 'Audi want to sign Bortoleto despite choosing Bottas for 2025'
- Corwin Kunst
It's almost certain that Valtteri Bottas will get the seat at Sauber in 2025, alongside Nico Hulkenberg. The Finn is reportedly extending his contract by one season. According to Blick, the intention is to sideline Bottas after next season and then go for a young, talented driver for when the team becomes known as Audi. However, that driver could join the team as early as 2025.
According to the aforementioned Swiss medium, the team has Gabriel Bortoleto in mind for that purpose. The Brazilian, currently leading in Formula 2, may not yet step in next year. However, he is in pole position to become the third driver at Sauber in 2025. This will allow the 19-year-old driver to see and experience everything for a year. He will then be fully prepared for a seat in 2026.
With this, Audi wants to anticipate the future. It is looking outside their own ranks, as Sauber's academy also has Theo Pouchaire (former F2 champion) and Zane Maloney (the current number three in the step-up class this season).
Contract at McLaren
Bortoleto is currently under contract at McLaren, so Sauber/Audi still have to reach an agreement on his arrival. However, McLaren has already announced its willingness to cooperate on a (temporary) departure if it gives Bortoleto the chance to drive Formula 1. Whether the Woking-based formation will also let their junior driver leave to join Sauber in 2025, however, is not clear.
This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton