New Sauber Motorsport boss Mattia Binotto says there are a selection of drivers in competition for a 2025 seat with Stake and wouldn’t rule out an opportunity for Components 2 champion Theo Pourchaire, who has gone on to made a powerful impression in IndyCar (pictured above) or McLaren’s F2 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
Binotto has began work as COO and CTO at Sauber, having been introduced earlier than the summer time break, with Purple Bull’s present sporting director Jonathan Wheatley set to affix him as workforce principal subsequent yr. Following Mercedes’ affirmation of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Alpine’s resolution to advertise Jack Doohan in 2025, Stake has the one remaining seat exterior of the Purple Bull program, and Bortoleto has been linked after a formidable rookie season in F2.
“Firstly, Theo is our reserve driver as we speak so by some means he’s already a part of the household and little question he’s on our listing,” Binotto mentioned. “Gabriel is doing very effectively as we speak in F2 — I feel he must be a terrific expertise and definitely we’re taking a look at what he’s doing, as we’re taking a look at many others. I don’t assume that’s the one title the place we’re focusing our consideration.
“So there are lots of names on the listing. Nice potential, nice experience, nice expertise. It’s a matter that we’ve to evaluate what’s most vital for us within the quick, medium and long run, and we are going to go for a transparent plan — which as we speak I don’t actually have a solution for you.”
Bortoleto’s characteristic race win from final on the grid in Monza has left him simply 10.5 factors off the lead of the F2 championship, however Binotto says he’s nonetheless working alongside his new workforce to know whether or not a rookie or an skilled driver can be the only option for subsequent season.
“It’s a few weeks I’m there, so it’s not just for myself — I’m actually sharing my impressions for the following steps,” he mentioned. “It’s actually one thing that we have to choose — are we going for expertise or for one thing new? It’s a mission which is trying to a medium-long-term goal, or perhaps a long-term goal, so what’s the most effective for us from now to the ultimate purpose? Is it having extra short-term expertise after which transferring to one thing completely different?
“We’re actually listening to the entire potential drivers. We’re actually evaluating the professionals and the cons, what’s the most effective compromise? In the long run it’s a selection that you simply make on the stability of all of the features.
“We’ll resolve as quickly as attainable, little question, as a result of we have to arrange the workforce for subsequent yr and for the long run. And we have to cease any hypothesis, as a result of it’s not in our pursuits. However thus far no resolution on what might be greatest. It’s the kind of evaluations we’re doing proper now, and hopefully very quickly we are going to come to a conclusion.”
