Components 2 championship chief Gabriel Bortoleto seems to be set to race for Sauber subsequent 12 months, 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 change into Nico Hulkenberg’s team-mate for 2025, however Sauber wished to take its time weighing up whether or not to go for the teenager or follow an skilled driver like incumbent Valtteri Bottas.
It now seems {that a} determination 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 could be made, however issues are prone to be finalised in time for the subsequent 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 12 months’s F3 title, it’s understood that the Woking-based group is not going to stand in his manner of shifting 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 provided a reserve or take a look at deal.
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Workforce KICK Sauber
Picture by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Pictures
Ought to Bortoleto’s deal to affix Sauber be confirmed then it would successfully deliver an finish to Bottas’ hopes of staying on the F1 grid subsequent 12 months.
Sauber was the Finn’s solely sensible choice 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, in fact, as I don’t have something signed I’ve bought to take a look at all of the alternate options together with going again to the Mercedes household. That’s for certain one choice and I might contemplate it.”
Bortoleto’s arrival implies that Brazil could 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 substitute for the injured Romain Grosjean.