F1 veteran Valtteri Bottas axed, young gun gets last empty seat

The 2025 F1 grid is all but locked in after confirmation two drivers from the same team would depart, with a young gun joining F1.

AFP

2 min read

November 7, 2024 - 9:48AM

F1

Don't miss out on the headlines from F1. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will race for Sauber in Formula One from next year, the team said Wednesday while also confirming the departures of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

McLaren junior Bortoleto will team up with the more experienced Nico Hulkenberg, aged 37, in 2025. The 20-year-old Bortoleto currently tops the F2 standings.

Every qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

“This is one of the exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all sports,” Sauber, which will become the Audi entry in 2026, quoted him as saying.

“Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour.”

Bottas and Zhou are set to depart at the end of the season after neither registered a point in the driver’s championship this campaign so far.

“After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually concluded that conditions to continue together could not be met so we agreed that it is time to part ways,” Sauber said.

“We would like to thank both for the contribution they have made to the team in the last three years.

“They have been the embodiment of professionalism, using their experience and enthusiasm to support our growth.”

Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas won’t be with Sauber next year. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Gabriel Bortoleto is a rising star.

It is unclear what the future holds for the 35-year-old Finn Bottas, a former Williams and Mercedes driver, and the 25-year-old Zhou.

Last month, 10-time race winner Bottas said he would consider returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver next year if he was not retained by Sauber.

Sauber had made Zhou China’s first Formula One driver and he spent had three seasons with the team.

“Sadly the last two seasons have been challenging for all, but I want to look forward,” Zhou said in a statement Wednesday.

McLaren's Lando Norris won't win an F1 world title

He added: “I am now discussing a number of options to stay in the Formula One paddock.”

Bortoleto is managed by Aston Martin driver and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.

He will become the first full-time Brazilian driver since Felipe Massa in 2017.

Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, was a contender for the Sauber seat but team principal Mattia Binotto opted to go with Bortoleto.