FIA Formula 2 2024 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto has today been announced as a Formula One driver, joining the Audi & Sauber Motorsport project from 2025 on a multi-year dear.
The Brazilian currently leads Isack Hadjar by 4.5 points in the Formula 2 standings, having taken a stellar victory in Italy to leapfrog the Frenchman, highlighting his driving prowess.
He also claimed the 2023 Formula 3 crown in dominant fashion, securing a place on McLaren’s Driver Development Program for 2024.
Announcing his move for 2025, Bortoleto described the opportunity as “a true honour” – adding that Audi & Sauber’s partnership is “one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports”
Furthermore, he added the following about his aims for his Formula 1 debut:
“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.
Both programs have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story.”
Sauber Motorsport’s Chairman Of The Board, Gernot Döllner, added that Bortoleto is part of Formula One’s Generational Shift, with “young drivers immediately making an impact” – stating that “by signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents”.
Mattia Binotto, the Sauber COO, was complimentary towards the Brazilian’s signing, stating that “with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success” – also highlighting that “Nico [Hülkenberg] and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth.” – a promising scenario for the team as they transition towards becoming Audi’s works team.
Bortoleto’s move ensures that Brazil are present with a full-time F1 driver for the first time since 2017 – where Felipe Massa drove for Williams. Though with Felipe Drugovich as Aston Martin’s reserve and test driver, there may well be good company for Bortoleto in the coming years.
The Brazilian joining the Formula One grid also means that he is the fourth confirmed rookie driver for 2025 – alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan & Ollie Bearman – and will become the 14th confirmed driver on the grid to have driven in Formula 2 or GP2. And with Liam Lawson seeming set to confirm a seat for 2025, it would bring 75% of the 2025 F1 grid up to being F2 graduates.
Image: Sauber F1
