Print: The picture has come together at Sauber in front of the driver

It was already announced this spring that the F1 team, which currently runs under the Sauber name, but will become Audi’s factory team from 2026, signs a contract with Nico Hülkenberg, who will , apparently, with them in 2025 temporarily. season and then in the first year of the “transformation”.

There has long been speculation about who the team will be. The team wanted to sign Carlos Sainz, but the Spaniard eventually chose Williams. In addition, Esteban Ocon was also high on the list of Germans, but he also moved competitively. Then there were reports that Sauber would decide between Valtteri Bottas and a young driver.

As for the youth, the names of the young Gabriel Bortoleto McLaren, the Sauber academic Théo Pourchaire and, after a decisive F1 debut, Franco Colaponto, who is currently racing for Williams, were in the news.

During the weekend in Singapore, the Swiss Blick wrote, citing a member of the team, that the decision has been made: Bottas can keep his racing session. However, there is a good chance that the regular Finn will only get a one-year deal, which means he can keep his seat for the transfer season. Blick also wrote about the fact that the team wants to prepare a youngster for 2026.

In other words, in addition to Bottas, another driver will be under contract for 2025, namely as a test and reserve driver. This driver has a good chance of becoming Bortoleto, the leader of the list as a rookie in Formula 2 – and as the defending F3 champion.

Although the Brazilian is strengthening the relationship with McLaren, the oranges have indicated that they are willing to “loan” to Sauber / Audi. They do all this, among other things, because they have long-term plans with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, which means they may not be able to give him a chance in the next few years. future with their own team.

Gabriel Bortoleto (Photo: XPB)