Gabriel Bortoleto is ready to race for F1 workforce Sauber. REUTERS/Carla Carniel
Formulation One could have a full-time Brazilian driver for the primary time since 2017 after Sauber introduced 20-year-old Gabriel Bortoleto on Wednesday to finish the longer term Audi workforce’s line-up for 2025 and 2026.
The Swiss-based workforce had earlier introduced the departure of Finland’s Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, China’s first F1 driver, on the finish of the season in December.
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Sauber, who will turn out to be the Audi manufacturing unit workforce in 2026, already introduced 37-year-old German driver Nico Hulkenberg — at the moment at Haas — in April.
Bortoleto is at the moment main the F2 championship, after profitable F3 final 12 months, and is a part of the McLaren driver improvement program in addition to two-time champion Fernando Alonso’s A14 driver administration firm.
F1 chief McLaren confirmed individually he could be launched on the finish of the 12 months.
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“Becoming a member of a workforce that mixes the wealthy motorsport historical past of Sauber and Audi is a real honor,” stated Bortoleto, who can be his nation’s first common F1 racer since Felipe Massa.
“I’m extremely grateful for the chance given to me by the workforce and for the possibility to work alongside an skilled driver like Nico.”
Sauber, who entered Formulation One in 1993 and completed runners-up beneath BMW possession in 2007, are final within the constructors’ standings and the one workforce but to attain this season with three rounds remaining.
They’ve large plans for the longer term, although, and appointed former Ferrari workforce boss Mattia Binotto in a managerial overhaul in July.
“Gabriel has already demonstrated within the junior classes that he has what it takes to be a profitable driver. We’re very happy that he’ll turn out to be a workforce member of Sauber and Audi,” stated the Italian.
“Along with Gabriel, we’re on a journey in direction of success, and we’ll evolve right into a unified pressure to form a brand new period for Audi in motorsport.
“Nico and Gabriel signify the perfect mixture of expertise and youth, positioning us strongly for the longer term.”
Bortoleto is the most recent in a line of thrilling younger expertise coming into F1.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks down stairs for the primary free apply forward of the Formulation One Italian Grand Prix race on the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Picture/Luca Bruno)
Mercedes has signed 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli to interchange seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, departing for Ferrari, whereas 19-year-old Briton and Ferrari protege Oliver Bearman takes Hulkenberg’s place at Haas.
Renault-owned Alpine has additionally signed Australian Jack Doohan, 21, the son of motorbike nice Mick, whereas Williams has Argentine Franco Colapinto, additionally 21, racing for them this season after dropping American Logan Sargeant.
Pink Bull’s RB has additionally introduced in Liam Lawson, 22, as substitute for Australian Daniel Ricciardo with the Kiwi favorite to retain the seat.
“We’re at the moment witnessing a generational shift in Formulation One, with younger drivers instantly making an influence,” stated Sauber Motorsport chairman Gernot Dollner.
“By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we’ve secured considered one of these prime abilities. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term technique and dedication to Formulation One.”
Sauber stated they held “open and constructive discussions” with Bottas and Zhou earlier than a mutual resolution to half.
“In spite of everything the nice and in-depth discussions we had previously weeks, we realized that the situations to develop this mission collectively weren’t met,” stated Bottas, 35 and a ten instances grand prix winner with Mercedes.
“Although it’s time to maneuver on, I’ll at all times carry a bit of this workforce with me, and I look ahead to seeing what the longer term holds for us each.”
