Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto looks set to race for Sauber next year, with sources revealing that a deal to join the Swiss outfit has now been agreed.
The Brazilian had been a frontrunner to become Nico Hulkenberg’s team-mate for 2025, but Sauber wanted to take its time weighing up whether to go for the youngster or stick with an experienced driver like incumbent Valtteri Bottas.
It now appears that a decision has been taken and, with Bortoleto and his representatives present in the Brazilian GP paddock this week, it is understood an agreement has been reached for next season.
It is understood that some final details still need to be sorted out before an official announcement can be made, but things are likely to be finalised in time for the next grand prix in Las Vegas.
While Bortoleto has been part of McLaren’s junior programme since the end of 2023, having captured last year’s F3 title, it is understood that the Woking-based team will not stand in his way in letting him move to Sauber.
Motorsport.com reported earlier that McLaren had made it long clear to Bortoleto that it would release him from his commitment if he had a firm race deal in place, but wanted to retain ties to him if he was only offered a reserve or test deal.
Should Bortoleto’s deal to join Sauber be confirmed then it will effectively bring an end to Bottas’ hopes of staying on the F1 grid next year.
Sauber was the Finn’s only realistic option for remaining in a full-time cockpit, so if he loses that then he will have to ponder other options.
One possibility could be for Bottas to return to Mercedes as a reserve driver.
Asked about that possibility at the Mexican Grand Prix, Bottas said: “Firstly, the priority is to stay as a race driver, that’s what I want, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia [Binotto].
“But, of course, as I don’t have anything signed. I’ve got to look at all the alternatives including going back to the Mercedes family. That’s for sure one option and I would consider it.”
Bortoleto’s arrival in F1 means that Brazil will have its first full-time grand prix driver since Felipe Massa retired at the end of the 2017 season. In 2020, Pietro Fittipaldi raced two grands prix for Haas as the replacement for the injured Romain Grosjean.
