System 2 championship chief Gabriel Bortoleto appears set to race for Sauber subsequent 12 months, with sources revealing {that a} deal to hitch the Swiss outfit has now been agreed.
The Brazilian had been a front-runner to change into Nico Hulkenberg’s team-mate for 2025, however Sauber wished to take its time weighing up whether or not to go for the teenager or follow an skilled driver like incumbent Valtteri Bottas.
It now seems {that a} determination has been taken and, with Bortoleto and his representatives current within the Brazilian GP paddock this week, it’s understood an settlement has been reached for subsequent season.
It’s understood that some last particulars nonetheless should be sorted out earlier than an official announcement will be made, however issues are prone to be finalised in time for the subsequent grand prix in Las Vegas.
Whereas Bortoleto has been a part of McLaren’s junior programme because the finish of 2023, having captured final 12 months’s F3 title, it’s understood that the Woking-based workforce is not going to stand in his method in letting him transfer to Sauber.
Motorsport.com reported earlier that McLaren had made it lengthy clear to Bortoleto that it will launch him from his dedication if he had a agency race deal in place, however wished to retain ties to him if he was solely provided a reserve or check deal.
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Crew KICK Sauber C44
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
Ought to Bortoleto’s deal to hitch Sauber be confirmed then it is going to successfully carry an finish to Bottas’ hopes of staying on the F1 grid subsequent 12 months.
Sauber was the Finn’s solely life like possibility for remaining in a full-time cockpit, so if he loses that then he should ponder different choices.
One risk may very well be for Bottas to return to Mercedes as a reserve driver.
Requested about that risk on the Mexican Grand Prix, Bottas stated: “Firstly, the precedence is to remain as a race driver, that’s what I would like, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia [Binotto].
“However, in fact, as I don’t have something signed. I’ve obtained to have a look at all of the alternate options together with going again to the Mercedes household. That’s for positive one possibility and I might think about it.”
Bortoleto’s arrival in F1 signifies that Brazil could have its first full-time grand prix driver since Felipe Massa retired on the finish of the 2017 season. In 2020, Pietro Fittipaldi raced two grands prix for Haas because the substitute for the injured Romain Grosjean.
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