According to reports, Sauber’s new Chief Operating Officer Mattia Binotto is interested in signing Formula 2 title challenger and McLaren Development Driver Gabriel Bortoleto to partner Nico Hulkenberg for the 2025 season.
Andreas Seidl, Binotto’s predecessor tasked with transforming Sauber into an F1 squad worthy of the Audi name in 2026, signed Hulkenberg earlier this year to a multi-year contract but the question of who will partner him remains unanswered.
Sauber’s current drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu remain out of contract for next season and their hopes to remain with the squad were bolstered following the dual announcements that Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon have elected to sign with Williams and Haas respectively.
Still, Italian outlet Formu1a.uno reports that Binotto has his sights set on Braillian F2 rookie Bortoleto, who has been putting together an impressive campaign in the junior single-seater formula with Invicta Racing.
Bortoleto, fresh from a Formula 3 title in his rookie season last year, is second in the 2024 Formula 2 Drivers’ standings with 129 points, 36 behind championship leader Isack Hadjar.
The young Brazilian, aged 19, joined McLaren’s Driver Development Programme ahead of his F2 campaign, meaning Binotto would have to negotiate with the Woking-based squad’s CEO Zak Brown if he was serious about securing Bortoleto’s services.
Still, Sauber is accustomed to poaching drivers from rival academies given Zhou was an Alpine Junior before his arrival on the Formula 1 scene with the Hinwil-based squad.
The prospect of joining Sauber ahead of it becoming a full-works entry would be an enticing one for Bortoelto, given he’s unlikely to find a Formula 1 seat with McLaren in the new future.
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are amid long-term deals with McLaren, so barring any surprises, they won’t be out for several years.
Speaking on his future within the McLaren set-up, Bortoleto said “In my case, McLaren has two young and very talented drivers, Oscar and Lando.
“They are super, super strong, and they are showing great performances on track.
“I think McLaren is the best team in F1 right now, showing, I think, a big improvement in the last races. And yeah, as I said before in interviews and everything, I have full trust in McLaren and in my management, A14, from Fernando Alonso, Alberto and Albert.
“So I have just full trust that we are going to take the best decision for my future.
“McLaren has plans for me, I believe, and for sure they want to help me to reach my goals in the future.
“So I really don’t know what to [say] in the sense of if I’m getting a seat soon or in 10 years. I have no idea.
“But I leave it for the people that work with this. I just do the job on track and the best I can do.”
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