Gabriel Bortoleto has secured the remaining seat at Sauber to complete the team’s Formula 1 line-up for 2025, Afrosport reports.
Bortoleto, who is the reigning Formula 3 champion and current Formula 2 leader, will replace the outgoing Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
The 20-year-old Brazilian will now partner with outgoing Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg ahead of Audi’s takeover of the Swiss team in 2026.
“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,” Bortoleto said on the Sauber team website.
“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.”
Sauber team principal Mattia Binotto says he decided to opt for youth rather than experience for the second seat.
“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,” Binotto said.
“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.”
Welcome to the family @gabortoleto85 🤝 pic.twitter.com/sli2lrabEo
— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) November 6, 2024
Bortoleto, is part of McLaren’s academy programme, and will be released by the Woking team in order to join Sauber.
He becomes the first Brazilian driver to race in F1 since former Ferrari and Williams driver Felipe Massa in 2017.
