F2 series leader Gabriel Bortoleto joins the previously-confirmed Nico Hulkenberg in an all-new driver line-up at Sauber for the 2025 season; Valtteri Bottas, who may now return to Mercedes and a back-up driver role, and Zhou Guanyu let go after three seasons.
Sauber have signed Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto to complete an all-new driver line-up at the team for the 2025 season, with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu both losing their seats.
Nico Hulkenberg was already confirmed as joining the Audi-controlled team for next year and so the arrival of the highly-rated 20-year-old Brazilian Bortoleto to join the experienced German completes a completely new pairing for the final season before Sauber are rebranded under the name of their new owners from 2026.
Underlining his status as a rising star, Bortoleto was signed to McLaren’s driver development programme after winning the Formula 3 title last year, but will now be released from those obligations to take up his opportunity at Sauber.
Bottas and Zhou had been the Swiss team’s line-up since 2022 but their respective end-of-season departures were confirmed on Wednesday morning shortly before Bortoleto’s expected signing was formally announced.
“Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver,” said Sauber chief operating officer Mattia Binotto of the highly-rated youngster, who will join current F2 rivals Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Kimi Andrea Antonelli (Mercedes) in graduating to F1 this winter.
Sitting a disappointing last in the Constructors’ Championship, Sauber are the only team yet to score a point in the 2024 campaign in
But the Audi project represents a chance for them to propel themselves up the grid from 2026 in particular.
Credit: https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13249259/valtteri-bottas-zhou-guanyu-leaving-sauber-after-three-seasons-at-end-of-f1-2024-with-team-opting-for-all-new-line-up