Audi says younger drivers acting at a excessive degree as rookies is marking “a basic shift in Components 1” that persuaded it to again Gabriel Bortoleto for a race seat with its F1 accomplice, Sauber.
Bortoleto has been introduced as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate at Sauber in 2025, for the ultimate season earlier than it completes its transition into the Audi works group. The 20-year-old received final season’s Components 3 championship and is main the F2 standings this yr, by which fellow F2 drivers Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto have proven strongly on their F1 debuts. Audi CEO Gernot Dollner pointed to their instance in explaining his firm’s backing of the brand new technology.
“Led by Mattia [Binotto , chief technical officer], Audi’s Components 1 venture is making nice progress in lots of areas,” Dollner stated. “The signing of the second driver is one other milestone. We’re presently witnessing a generational shift in Components 1, with younger drivers instantly making an impression. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, now we have secured one in all these high skills. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term technique and dedication to Components 1.”
The selection of Bortoleto means present drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will each depart the group on the finish of the season, and Sauber COO and Binotto thanked each for his or her dedication over the previous three years.
“We prolong our deepest gratitude to Valtteri for the previous three years collectively,” Binotto stated. “He has been the embodiment of professionalism, utilizing his huge expertise to help the group’s progress. Valtteri’s dedication and method have been invaluable throughout a pivotal time in our historical past, and the recollections of those years will stick with us for a very long time.
“In contemplating our driver line-up for the approaching seasons, Valtteri was unquestionably a key candidate. Together with his preventing spirit, he steadily pushed the automotive past its efficiency limits. Nonetheless, a call needed to be made. After open and constructive discussions, we mutually concluded that closing circumstances couldn’t be met so we agreed that it’s time to half methods. Valtteri will at all times have an open door right here in Hinwil.
“The final three years have seen our group develop considerably on and off the monitor, and each Valtteri and Zhou have performed an enormous function on this development. Presently, nevertheless, following our dialogue with Zhou, now we have determined that our future lies somewhere else.
“We’re grateful to Zhou for the final three years, for the dedication and the starvation he has proven from the primary second he drove for us to as we speak. Scoring factors on debut and serving to the group to P6 in 2022 was a press release of intent, however so was his contribution off monitor and on the manufacturing unit.
“We need to rejoice our journey along with three robust races to complete this season, and each the group and Zhou are dedicated to giving every little thing in Las Vegas, Doha and Abu Dhabi collectively.”
