Sauber is poised to announce which driver has been handed the side’s vacant Formula 1 seat in 2025 in the coming weeks as it continues to “evaluate all the options”.
The Hinwil-based squad announced in April that it has acquired Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg on a long-term deal as it prepares to transition into a works Audi team in 2026.
However, it has not been determined who will partner the experienced German as the team considers whether to retain a current driver or scour the market elsewhere.
Valtteri Bottas, who’s been with the team since 2022, is pushing to earn a renewal to remain in F1, but Sauber is also exploring the potential to hand a rookie a chance.
READ MORE: Exclusive: Bottas opens up on Audi plans that make F1 success ‘a matter of time’
Gabriel Bortoleto, who is the Formula 2 championship leader, has been acknowledged as a candidate and McLaren has revealed that it is prepared to negotiate a deal.
Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has said the decision will lie with Mattia Binotto, hired as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer last month.
“We have said already in Monza that he’s taking charge of all the dossiers, and the drivers is of course one of the most important ones,” Alunni Bravi said in Azerbaijan.
“We are evaluating all the options to see which is the best balance between a short-term experience and medium, long-term, maybe young talent.
“There are potential candidates on both sides.
“Valtteri is a strong driver for our team. We know him very well. He has been with the team already for three years, and of course he’s one on top of our list.
“But there are other opportunities.
“We are just looking at all the pros and cons, and Mattia will take a decision based not only on 2025, but also the medium/long-term strategy for the Audi F1 project.”
Sauber in ‘no rush’ to make a decision
Franco Colapinto could enter contention at Sauber as he has excelled since being promoted into a Williams F1 seat as a mid-season replacement for Logan Sargeant.
The Argentine, who was sixth in F2 prior to his unexpected call-up, has propelled his name into the limelight with a sublime drive to eighth place in Baku last weekend.
Williams boss James Vowles has admitted he will attempt to attain Colapinto a spot on the 2025 grid as the Grove-based squad will welcome Carlos Sainz next term.
With Red Bull braced to use the drivers within its ranks to complete RB’s pairing, Bravi is adamant that there are no time constraints on Sauber to resolve the situation.
“It’s not about the deadline because, of course, we are not opportunistic,” he contended. “Now that there is only one seat available, we want to take time.
“It’s more to assess everything, every aspect, and to take a right decision.
“I think there is no rush, but we want to tick this box also soon. So, I think it will be a matter of the next weeks.”
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