Photo: Sauber
Formula 2 points leader Gabriel Bortoleto has been announced by Sauber as joining its Formula 1 driver line-up for 2025.
The 20-year-old Brazilian, who is a junior driver for rival McLaren, has won two races and made the podium three other times as an F2 rookie, in addition to qualifying on pole position twice.
Pirro entered contention for an F1 promotion with Sauber through Emanuele Pirro, who is president of the FIA Single-Seater Commission, a link that has so far exclusively been reported by Formula Scout.
“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 [whose branding the team will take on] is a true honour,” said Bortoleto.
“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 [Hulkenberg]. Both programmes have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story.”
Bortoleto was a race-winner in Italian Formula 4 as a single-seater rookie back in 2020, then spent two seasons in the Formula Regional European Championship where he took two wins. Last year he became FIA Formula 3 champion as a rookie, with two victories and four second-place finishes.
Mattia Binotto, CTO of Sauber, said: “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. 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.”
McLaren has confirmed Bortoleto will be released from its driver development programme at the end of 2024.