Gabriel Bortoleto mentioned he was decided to not sit out a 12 months of racing in 2025 after Sauber confirmed he’ll make his debut for them in Formulation 1 subsequent 12 months.
Sauber confirmed final week the Formulation 2 championship chief will be a part of them as Nico Hulkenberg’s group mate.
Bortoleto will change into the primary driver because the formation of the trendy Formulation 3 and Formulation 2 championships to progress by means of all three collection in consecutive years, and the primary since George Russell and Lando Norris in 2019 to hitch Formulation 1 instantly after a single season in F2.
“It feels superb,” Bortoleto instructed the official F1 channel. “It’s like a dream. Since I used to be very younger I began racing with a dream to succeed in F1 someday and now, having the ability to signal this contract and to be on the grid in ’25, I’m very grateful. And I’m trying ahead to it.”
Some drivers who’ve graduated from F2 to F1 have needed to wait a 12 months or extra, equivalent to Antonio Giovinazzi. Oscar Piastri sat out the 2022 season after successful the F2 title the earlier 12 months earlier than he was signed by McLaren for 2023. Jack Doohan will make his debut for Alpine subsequent 12 months after sitting out this season.
Bortoleto says Sauber have been contemplating whether or not they most popular to signal him for 2025 or signal one other driver for subsequent 12 months and have him be a part of the group in 2026, however he pushed to have a race seat subsequent season so he wouldn’t be left on the sidelines.
“Now we have been speaking for a few months already, I consider, about what was going to occur. If it was going to occur in ’26 or in ’25,” he defined. “However I feel the ’25 information got here not so way back.
Advert | Turn out to be a RaceFans supporter and
“It feels superb, as a result of I didn’t need to keep one 12 months with out driving. Now, having the ability to proceed the momentum of driving – F3, F2 and now going to F1 subsequent 12 months – I feel it’s one of the simplest ways to do it.”
Sauber will transition into Audi forward of the 2026 season and the introduction of latest energy items. Bortoleto says he was impressed by a pitch, offered by Audi F1’s chief working officer Mattia Binotto, describing the group’s plans.
“I feel the undertaking that Mattia confirmed me about Audi in Formulation 1 – the long run, what he needs, what Audi needs, and to be clearly the primary Audi driver ever – it’s such an incredible factor and an thrilling undertaking,” he mentioned. “So I’m trying ahead to it.
“On the similar time, whenever you get the prospect at F1, you don’t assume a lot the place I’m going to be, extra simply leap in and do the perfect you’ll be able to. However I used to be a really fortunate man to have been provided a pleasant undertaking for my future on a multi-year scenario.”
Bortoleto has been a member of the McLaren driver growth programme throughout his rookie F2 marketing campaign. He says his focus is on his last two F2 rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi through which he’ll proceed to be a member of McLaren’s programme.
“I’m a McLaren driver till Sunday of the Abu Dhabi race,” he mentioned. “I’m nonetheless with them as part of the academy.
“They’re giving all of the assist wanted for these two rounds. We did an distinctive job this 12 months in Formulation 2 to date. We have to end on a excessive. We’re aiming for, clearly, ending this championship one of the simplest ways doable. So all of the work I used to be doing earlier than I’ll preserve doing.”
Advert | Turn out to be a RaceFans supporter and
