Audi says younger drivers acting at a excessive stage as rookies is marking “a normal shift in Method 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 Method 3 championship and is main the F2 standings this 12 months, 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 era.
“Led by Mattia [Binotto , chief technical officer], Audi’s Method 1 challenge is making nice progress in lots of areas,” Dollner stated. “The signing of the second driver is one other milestone. We’re at the moment witnessing a generational shift in Method 1, with younger drivers instantly making an influence. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have now secured one in every of these prime skills. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term technique and dedication to Method 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 lengthen 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 assist the group’s progress. Valtteri’s dedication and method have been invaluable throughout a pivotal time in our historical past, and the reminiscences 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 combating spirit, he regularly pushed the automobile past its efficiency limits. Nonetheless, a choice needed to be made. After open and constructive discussions, we mutually concluded that ultimate 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 observe, and each Valtteri and Zhou have performed a giant function on this development. At the moment, nonetheless, following our dialogue with Zhou, we have now 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 immediately. 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 observe and on the manufacturing facility.
“We wish to have a good time our journey along with three sturdy races to complete this season, and each the group and Zhou are dedicated to giving the whole lot in Las Vegas, Doha and Abu Dhabi collectively.”
