Bottas and Guanyu Are Out; Gabriel Bortoleto Will Race For Sauber in 2025
F2’s Latest Wonderkid Is Set to Become the First Full-Time Brazilian in the F1 Grid Since Massa in 2017
A New Era
Sauber Motorsport has not featured much in the F1 news this season as things have not gone well for them. Recently, the team has chosen to part ways with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, replacing them with experienced Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg and promising Formula 2 talent Gabriel Bortoleto.
Gabriel Bortoleto becomes the first full-time Brazilian F1 driver on the grid since Felipe Massa in 2017 🇧🇷#F1 pic.twitter.com/nhSaCx7U4i
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 6, 2024
Why Sauber Opted for a Veteran and a Rookie
The decision to bring on a rookie like Bortoleto alongside a seasoned driver like Hulkenberg reflects Sauber’s dual goals of establishing stability and building for the future. Hulkenberg, with his extensive F1 experience and proven track record, will provide the team with a steady hand as they prepare for the transition to becoming Audi’s official works team.
#F1 | Sauber locks in Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hülkenberg for Audi’s 2025 lineup! 🤩
Next year in Formula 1 will feature four confirmed rookies 👇
▪️ Andrea Kimi Antonelli
▪️ Ollie Bearman
▪️ Jack Doohan
▪️ Gabriel BortoletoAnd the grid isn’t complete yet! pic.twitter.com/bgNQbZavD7
— BetUS Sportsbook & Casino (@BetUS_Official) November 6, 2024
On the other side of the garage, 20-year-old Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto has been making waves in the junior categories, currently leading the Formula 2 championship and coming off an impressive Formula 3 season. Sauber’s decision to bring him in reflects a long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent, as the team has done with notable drivers in the past like Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica. Bortoleto’s recent wins and podium finishes have made him a standout, earning him this coveted opportunity to debut in Formula 1.
The Rise of Gabriel Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto’s ascent in motorsport has been swift and impressive. With backing from Formula 1 icons like Fernando Alonso, Bortoleto’s journey to Sauber has been paved with success. In 2022, he joined Alonso’s driver management company A14 and subsequently became a part of McLaren’s driver development program, which gave him his first taste of an F1 car with a test at Austria’s Red Bull Ring. These formative experiences have prepared him for the big leagues, and his remarkable F2 performance—leading the championship with just two rounds to go—reinforces his status as a talent on the rise. Max Verstappen has praised the Brazilian talent multiple times.
BREAKING: Sauber sign Brazilian 20-year-old Gabriel Bortoleto, who currently leads the Formula 2 championship, for the 2025 Formula 1 season 🚨 pic.twitter.com/IzsDwqFfp9
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 6, 2024
Sauber COO Mattia Binotto expressed confidence in Bortoleto’s potential, emphasizing his proven success and growth in junior categories as indicators of his readiness for F1 races.
2025 F1 Lineups Take Shape
As teams finalize their 2025 driver rosters, a strong trend is emerging: a focus on young, dynamic talent. This youth-driven approach has reshaped the roles of seasoned drivers, with notable veterans like Valtteri Bottas likely moving into reserve positions. F1 rumors suggest Bottas may rejoin Mercedes in a backup role, marking a shift from his years as a primary competitor on the grid.
The 2025 grid… Bortoleto slots into the puzzle 🧩#F1 pic.twitter.com/dcgYJEekN5
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 6, 2024
Zhou Guanyu, who made history as Formula 1’s first full-time Chinese driver, faces a similar crossroads. Despite strong financial backing from major sponsors in China, Zhou has struggled to consistently compete at the top level, with his last points finish recorded in Qatar 2023. Zhou has hinted at multiple offers on the table, and the current outlook suggests he’ll remain in Formula 1—but possibly in a reserve capacity as well.
