Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto has been signed to drive for the Audi-owned Sauber workforce subsequent 12 months.
The 20-year-old, who’s main this 12 months’s Method 2 championship, will companion .
The choice implies that Sauber’s present drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, won’t be in F1 subsequent season.
Sauber chief working and technical officer Mattia Binotto mentioned it had been a “easy resolution with no doubts in any respect”.
The workforce selected Bortoleto as a result of that they had been “impressed by his profession to this point,” Binotto mentioned.
Bortoleto, who was champion in Method 3 in his debut season in 2023 earlier than transferring into F2 this 12 months, had “already demonstrated within the junior classes that he has what it takes to be a successful driver,” Binotto mentioned.
Bortoleto is managed by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and has been part of the McLaren driver improvement programme.
“I’ve been asking to some drivers who’ve been driving with you and everybody was very impressed. But in addition as a result of he’s very younger,” added Binotto.
“For our journey for the Audi F1 workforce, rising along with a younger driver was crucial.
“After we met I used to be instantly impressed by the perspective. So not solely as a driver we determined, however as an individual. He can actually be a pacesetter for the workforce.”
Bortoleto mentioned: “This is without doubt one of the most enjoyable tasks in motorsport, if not in all of sports activities.
“Past merely being a member, I goal to develop with this formidable venture and attain the top of motorsport.
“Mattia was tremendous assured concerning the Audi venture and the way I may develop as a driver as effectively.
“I see loads myself on this venture. I wanted to persuade him way more than he wanted to persuade me, however I recognized loads (with it).”
Binotto, who was Ferrari workforce principal from 2019-22, .
He mentioned in a video launched by Sauber on Wednesday: “It can take just a few seasons to turn out to be a a aggressive workforce. Our goal will likely be to be aiming to battle for a championship in 2030, and even that could be very formidable.”
The workforce launched separate statements thanking them for his or her work.
Bottas, who made his debut in F1 for Williams in 2013 and gained 10 races in his 5 years at Mercedes as team-mate to Lewis Hamilton from 2017-21, mentioned: “A state of affairs like that is by no means straightforward for anybody. However in spite of everything the nice and in-depth discussions we had up to now weeks, we realised that the circumstances to develop this venture collectively weren’t met.
“These previous years with the workforce have been an unimaginable journey, stuffed with progress, challenges, and unforgettable moments.
“Although it’s time to maneuver on, I’ll at all times carry a bit of this workforce with me, and I sit up for seeing what the long run holds for us each.”
Bortoleto provides Brazil a full-time presence on the F1 grid since Felipe Massa left the game on the finish of 2017.
The nation is without doubt one of the most profitable in F1, with former drivers together with a number of world champions Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna.
