Components 2 championship chief Gabriel Bortoleto seems set to race for Sauber subsequent yr, with sources revealing {that a} deal to affix the Swiss outfit has now been agreed.
The 20-year-old had been a front-runner to turn out to be Nico Hulkenberg’s team-mate for 2025, however Sauber wished to take its time weighing up whether or not to go for the teen or keep on with an skilled driver like incumbent Valtteri Bottas.
It now seems {that a} choice has been taken and, with Bortoleto and his representatives current within the Brazilian GP paddock this week, it’s understood an settlement has been reached for subsequent season.
It’s understood that some closing particulars nonetheless have to be sorted out earlier than an official announcement may be made, however issues are prone to be finalised in time for the following grand prix in Las Vegas.
Whereas Bortoleto has been a part of McLaren’s junior programme for the reason that finish of 2023, having captured final yr’s F3 title, it’s understood that the Woking-based crew is not going to stand in his manner of transferring to Sauber.
Autosport reported earlier that McLaren had made it lengthy clear to Bortoleto that it would release him from his commitment if he had a agency race deal in place, however wished to retain ties to him if he was solely supplied a reserve or take a look at deal.
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Group KICK Sauber
Picture by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Photos
Ought to Bortoleto’s deal to affix Sauber be confirmed then it is going to successfully carry an finish to Bottas’ hopes of staying on the F1 grid subsequent yr.
Sauber was the Finn’s solely reasonable possibility for remaining in a full-time cockpit, so if he loses that then he should ponder different choices.
One risk might be for Bottas to return to Mercedes as a reserve driver.
Requested about that risk on the Mexico Grand Prix, Bottas stated: “Firstly, the precedence is to remain as a race driver, that’s what I need, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia [Binotto, Sauber boss].
“However, after all, as I don’t have something signed I’ve received to have a look at all of the options together with going again to the Mercedes household. That’s for certain one possibility and I might contemplate it.”
Bortoleto’s arrival signifies that Brazil may have its first full-time grand prix driver since Felipe Massa retired on the finish of 2017. In 2020, Pietro Fittipaldi raced two grands prix for Haas as a alternative for the injured Romain Grosjean.