Formula 1 Rumor: Bortoleto signs Audi-Sauber contract (now ‘Fact’) (Update)
This rumor is upgraded to ‘fact’ today. Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (20) will drive alongside German Nico Hülkenberg (37) for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber next year, which will transform into the Audi F1 factory team in 2026.
The experienced Hülkenberg, who was confirmed in April, and the promising F1 rookie Bortoleto form a well-matched driver pairing for Audi’s Formula 1 project.
Hailing from São Paulo, Bortoleto made a strong impression in 2023 by dominating his debut season and winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship. He is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Championship standings. His career began at the age of six in karting, and by twelve, he had moved to Europe with his family to pursue his Formula 1 dream. Joining the future Audi F1 factory team now gives Bortoleto the opportunity to show his talent at the highest level of motorsport.
The team already confirmed German driver Nico Hülkenberg for the upcoming season back in April. With a balanced mix of experience and youth, the team is preparing for the transition to the Audi F1 factory team in 2026.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG: “We are currently witnessing a generational shift in Formula 1, with young drivers immediately making an impact. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1.”
Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport AG: “Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a team member of Sauber and Audi. Together with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success, and we will evolve into a unified force to shape a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth, positioning us strongly for the future.”
Gabriel Bortoleto: “This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports. Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honor. 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.”
Last Updated November 6, 2024
| 2025 AutoRacing1.com F1 Silly Season Table | ||||||
| Team | Engine | No. | Driver | Nat. | Rating | Comments |
| Audi Sauber | Ferrari | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Germany | Fact | Signed thru 2026 |
| TBD | Gabriel Bortoleto | Brazil | Fact | Signed thru 2026 | ||
| Alpine F1 Team | Renault | 10 | Pierre Gasly | France | Fact | Signed thru 2026 |
| 61 | Jack Doohan | Australia | Fact | Signed thru 2025 | ||
| Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team | Mercedes | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Spain | Fact | Signed thru 2026 |
| 18 | Lance Stroll | Canada | Fact | Daddy owns the team | ||
| Ferrari | Ferrari | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Monaco | Fact | Signed thru 2028 |
| 44 | Lewis Hamilton | England | Fact | Signed thru 2026 | ||
| Moneygram Haas F1 Team | Ferrari | 31 | Esteban Ocon | France | Fact | Signed multi-Year |
| 87 | Oliver Bearman | England | Fact | Signed | ||
| McLaren F1 Team | Mercedes | 4 | Lando Norris | England | Fact | Signed thru 2027 |
| 81 | Oscar Piastri | Australia | Fact | Signed thru 2027 | ||
| Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team | Mercedes | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Italy | Fact | Signed thru 2025 |
| 63 | George Russell | England | Fact | Signed thru 2025 | ||
| Red Bull Racing | Honda | 1 | Max Verstappen | Netherlands | Fact | Signed thru 2028 |
| 43 | Franco Colapinto | Argentina | Strong | Supposedly Signed | ||
| 55 | Carlos Sainz Jr | Argentina | Speculation | Rumored to go to Red Bull instead of Colapinto | ||
| 11 | Sergio Perez | Mexico | Speculation | Rumored to be out | ||
| Visa Cash App RB | Honda | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Japan | Fact | Signed thru 2025 |
| 30 | Liam Lawson | Australia | Fact | Signed but contingent on 2024 performance | ||
| Williams Racing | Mercedes | 23 | Alex Albon | Thailand | Fact | Signed |
| 43 | Franco Colapinto | Argentina | Strong | If Sainz Jr. goes to Red Bull instead of him | ||
| 55 | Carlos Sainz Jr | Spain | Strong | Signed, but could go to Red Bull | ||
November 2, 2024
(GMM) The driver market ‘silly season’ in Formula 1 is exploding once again. The only real vacancy for 2025 is at Audi-Sauber, and incumbent Valtteri Bottas no longer sounds confident he will be retained.
“There’s always a lot of politics in the background in this sport,” the Finn said at Interlagos.
“We are talking about a big corporate company, a big business,” Bottas added, referring to the newly Audi-Sauber team. “There are many reasons for decisions.”
It appears that McLaren has agreed to fully release its academy junior Gabriel Bortoleto, 20. “Apparently the contract is already signed and the announcement is imminent,” claimed Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt.
Related Article: Audi contender Bortoleto could be ‘third’ driver
The only missing detail is whether Bottas might be retained for one more season, allowing Bortoleto to integrate into the team ahead of the full debut of the works Audi F1 entry from 2026.
“In terms of McLaren, we will not stop the possibility for Gabriel to drive in Formula 1,” McLaren boss Andrea Stella said at Interlagos.
“So conversations are ongoing and we will see what the scenario will be for the future.”
Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen thinks Bortoleto should race straight away in 2025.
“I mean, if I was Audi-Sauber, I would have signed him already,” he said in Brazil.
“And ’26, big rule change. It’s always good to get used to a team for a year, make your mistakes here and there, get integrated well, understand the car a bit. Feel much more prepared and comfortable and then start in ’26.”
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri also commented when asked about Bortoleto: “From my point of view, when you’re achieving those kinds of results, you deserve to be in F1.
“I have the personal experience of the pain of not getting a seat, so for his sake, I hope he doesn’t have to go through that.”