@stakef1team_ks announces @gabortoleto85 as @ValtteriBottas, @ZhouGuanyu24 part ways at end of season. #F1 #F1DriverMarket
Gabriel Bortoleto, announced as new Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber driver. Photo of the Brazilian on duty with McLaren at the Formula 1 Lenovo Grande Premio De Sao Paulo 2024, Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Interlagos, Brazil. Image credit to Simon Galloway/LAT Images. Bortoleto Sauber F1 2025, Bottas Zhou Leave Sauber, Bortoleto Hulkenberg Sauber Audi, Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber Audi, Bortoleto F1 Driver Market.
Bortoleto Sauber F1 2025 – Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber have announced that FIA Formula 2 World Championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto will complete its driver line-up alongside Nico Hulkenberg for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship and beyond as the team transitions to the Audi F1 factory team. The team also announced officially that it’s parting ways with current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
From Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bortoleto began his racing career of karting at the age of 6, and by 12, he moved to Europe with his family to chase his Formula One dream.
Bortoleto signed for two-time world champion Fernando Alonso’s driver management company A14 in 2022 and last year joined the McLaren driver programme, which gave him the opportunity to taste Formula 1 machinery for the first time with a test at the Red Bull Ring in the McLaren MCL36 (2022-spec).
The Brazilian made a solid impression in the FIA Formula 3 World Championship by dominating his debut season and capturing the title, before moving to the FIA Formula 2 World Championship, where he is currently leading the standings with two rounds remaining after two victories and three podiums to lead Isack Hadjar by 4.5 points.
Joining the future Audi works Formula 1 team now gives Bortoleto the chance to showcase his talent in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Bortoleto stated: “This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all sports. Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour. Beyond simply being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and for the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico. Both programs have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story.” Bortoleto concluded. Credit to Sauber Group for the quote.
Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport AG Gernot Dollner added: “Led by Mattia, Audi’s Formula 1 project is making great progress in many areas. The signing of the second driver is another milestone. We are currently witnessing a generational shift in Formula One, with young drivers immediately making an impact. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1.” Dollner concluded. Credit to Sauber Group for the quote.
Bortoleto is now the fourth full-time rookie on the 2025 Formula 1 grid alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team), Jack Doohan (BWT Alpine F1 Team) and Oliver Bearman (MoneyGram Haas F1 Team).
He is also the first full-time Brazilian Grand Prix driver since Felipe Massa, who retired from the sport in 2017. His appearance comes after fellow Brazilian-compatriot Pietro Fittipaldi who switched for Romain Grosjean for two races in 2020.
Sauber also paid homage to Bottas after spending three years at the Hinwil based-squad. The Finn who joined the team after five seasons with Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, where he scored ten victories, made an immediate impact with the Hinwil outfit. His contribution lead to see Sauber F1 Team reach sixth place in the World Constructor’s Championship in 2022.
Bottas explained: “A situation like this is never easy for anyone but after all the good and in-depth discussions we had in the past weeks, we realised that the conditions to grow this project together were not met,” said Bottas following the confirmation of the team’s decision. These past years with the team have been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I’m grateful for the joint experiences as well as the trust and support I’ve felt every step of the way. Though it’s time to move on, I’ll always carry a piece of this team with me, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us both.” Bottas concluded. Credit to Sauber Group for the quote.
Sauber F1 Team COO and CTO Mattia Binotto said on Bottas: “We extend our deepest gratitude to Valtteri for the past three years together. He has been the embodiment of professionalism, using his vast experience to support the team’s growth. Valtteri’s dedication and approach have been invaluable during a pivotal time in our history, and the memories of these years will stay with us for a long time. In considering our driver line-up for the coming seasons, Valtteri was unquestionably a key candidate. With his fighting spirit, he frequently pushed the car beyond its performance limits. However, a decision had to be made. After open and constructive discussions, we mutually concluded that final conditions could not be met so we agreed that it is time to part ways. Valtteri will always have an open door here in Hinwil.” Binotto concluded. Credit to Sauber Group for the quote.
Zhou was also given praise for his contributions to the Hinwil based-outfit after three years at the team ending at the end of the 2024 season. Joining as a rookie in the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship campaign, he made an immediate impression scoring points on debut and helped deliver Sauber to take sixth in the World Constructor’s Championship standings.
The Chinese driver formed a great partnership with Bottas, as the pairing made the combined mix of youth and experience work well. Zhou’s learning curve was steep, but he made quick progression and went to display reliable performances and was an excited driver known for his attacking.
Zhou’s memorable performance was taking part in his home Grand Prix in Shanghai this season, in-front of a solid crowd. The Chinese driver delivered one of his best performances, just missing out on points in the F1 Sprint and battling until the final corner in the Grand Prix – receiving a standing ovation from his fans on the main grandstand.
Zhou commented: “I will leave the team at the end of the season, but I am fully committed to finishing the season in style. I am grateful to the team for giving me a chance in Formula One: this is not an easy sport for rookies, but the team has allowed me to grow so much over these three years. China, earlier this season, was without doubt a highlight, but so many moments, both in public and behind the scenes, are what I am going to remember from the last three years. I’ll now focus on the next step in my career: I still have plenty of fight left in me and I am keen to continue progressing.” Zhou concluded. Credit to Sauber Group for the quote.
Binotto also said on Zhou: “We are grateful to Zhou for the last three years, for the commitment and the hunger he has shown from the first moment he drove for us to today. Scoring points on debut and helping the team to P6 in 2022 was a statement of intent, but so was his contribution off track and at the factory. We want to celebrate our journey together with three strong races to finish this season, and both the team and Zhou are committed to giving everything in Las Vegas, Doha and Abu Dhabi together.” Zhou concluded. Credit to Sauber Group for the quote.
