The news is finally out as Sauber have confirmed their second driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season in Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto.
The 20-year-old has been linked with F1 for some time after his impressive performances in Formula 2 this season. Bortoleto, who won the Formula 3 title in 2023, is currently leading the F2 standings with two rounds to go.
His displays in 2024 have caught the attention of many key figures in the F1 paddock. Andrea Stella has been impressed with Bortoleto, but the Brazilian will not be with McLaren when he joins the grid next season.
The Brazilian, who has been part of the Woking-based outfit’s Driver Development Programme since winning F3, will be released by the team at the end of the season.
Subsequently, Bortoleto has signed a multi-year deal with Sauber that will see him become an Audi works driver alongside Nico Hulkenberg when the German manufacturer joins F1 in 2026.
Dennis Hauger congratulates Gabriel Bortoleto on his Formula 1 opportunity with Sauber
The 20-year-old will become the first Brazilian to compete in an F1 race since Pietro Fittipaldi in 2020 and the first full-time driver from the nation since Felipe Massa in 2017.
Massa and Emerson Fittipaldi had been in full support of Bortoleto in his bid to reach F1. Now his dream has been accomplished, he will be hoping to join those two names among others as a race winner from Brazil.
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It did not take long for fans, particularly fellow Brazilians, to flood Sauber’s comments section on Instagram with messages of support for Bortoleto next season.
Among those in the comments were some of the Brazilian’s competitors in F2. Dennis Hauger, who will move to Andretti in Indy NXT next season, wrote: “Congrats man.”
Richard Verschoor echoed Hauger’s messages as he wrote: Congratulations mate,” followed by a clapping hands emoji.
Former F2 driver Clement Novalak posted a heartwarming message to Bortoleto on his story, writing: “Bora Bibi, no one deserves it more and Brazil back in F1. Make us proud brother.
“One of the most genuine, caring and charismatic drivers I’ve come across. Will always be rooting for you mate.” Novalak finished by writing in Portuguese: “Super feliz por voce irmaozinho,” meaning ‘super happy for you little brother’.
Gabriel Bortoleto is battling Isack Hadjar for the Formula 2 title
While Bortoleto already has his F1 future confirmed, there is still a title to be won as he holds a four-and-a-half-point lead over Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar with two rounds to go.
The Brazilian has claimed two wins and five podiums this season thus far, while Hadjar has won more races than any other driver with four. However, the Frenchman comes into the next round in Qatar having only scored points once in the last seven races.
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In that time, Bortoleto has failed to score only once in the last seven races, collecting a win at Monza from the back of the grid in the Feature Race. Bortoleto has been driving go-karts to keep sharp and give him that edge over his rival.
Hadjar is set to become Red Bull’s reserve driver in 2025 after Liam Lawson’s promotion to a race seat this season. There is a possibility that the Frenchman could also land a full-time seat if the team decide to part ways with Sergio Perez.