Sauber has confirmed each its present drivers will go away the workforce on the finish of the yr because it has opted for an all-new line-up for 2025.
The workforce has named System 2 factors chief Gabriel Bortoleto will be a part of the workforce alongside Nico Hulkenberg, whose hiring from Haas was introduced in April.
Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will subsequently go away the workforce. Bottas joined Sauber from Mercedes in 2022, the identical yr Zhou made his F1 debut. Neither has scored some extent of their third season collectively as Sauber has struggled with its uncompetitive C44 chassis.
“After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually concluded that situations to proceed collectively couldn’t be met so we agreed that it’s time to half methods,” the workforce stated in an announcement. “We wish to thank each for the contribution they’ve made to the workforce within the final three years. They’ve been the embodiment of professionalism, utilizing their expertise and enthusiasm to help our development.”
McLaren confirmed it has launched Bortoleto from its younger driver programme to ensure that him to affix Sauber. The 20-year-old, who received the System 3 sequence final yr, is main the System 2 championship with 4 races remaining. If he wins the championship, he’ll change into the primary F2 champion to graduate instantly into System 1 since Mick Schumacher in 2021.
Earlier than becoming a member of the System 2 grid this season, Bortoleto additionally claimed the System 3 title final yr earlier than stepping as much as F2 with the Invicta workforce. Over his first 24 begins in F2, Bortoleto has taken two race victories within the characteristic races on the Crimson Bull Ring and at Monza, the place he rose from twenty second and final on the grid to win with the assistance of a well-timed Security Automobile. He additionally scored podiums in Imola, Monaco and Spa-Francorchamps – all second locations.
Bortoleto will change into the primary Brazilian driver to race on the earth championship full-time since Felipe Massa in 2017. He stated Sauber, which is able to change into Audi’s works F1 workforce in 2026, is “one of the thrilling initiatives in motorsport, if not in all of sports activities.”
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“I’m extremely grateful for the chance given to me by the workforce and for the possibility to work alongside an skilled driver like Nico,” he stated.
The information leaves Bottas, who made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013, with no seat for subsequent yr. “A state of affairs like that is by no means simple for anybody,” he stated. “However in any case the nice and in-depth discussions we had previously weeks, we realised that the situations to develop this venture collectively weren’t met.”
Bottas received 10 grands prix in his 5 seasons at Mercedes, his final coming at Istanbul in 2021. He lately indicated he would take into account returning to his former workforce as a reserve driver.
Zhou grew to become the primary Chinese language driver to race in F1 two years in the past. He stated he’s “absolutely dedicated to ending the season in type.”
“I’m grateful to the workforce for giving me an opportunity in System 1,” he stated. “This isn’t a simple sport for rookies, however the workforce has allowed me to develop a lot over these three years.”
China’s spherical of the world championship returned to the calendar this yr, giving Zhou his first probability to race in F1 at residence. “China, earlier this season, was no doubt a spotlight,” he stated, “however so many moments, each in public and behind the scenes, are what I’m going to recollect from the final three years.”
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“I’ll now give attention to the following step in my profession,” he added. “I nonetheless have loads of combat left in me and I’m eager to proceed progressing.”
View the present checklist of 2025 F1 drivers and groups
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