Options are running out for Valtteri Bottas, who is yet so secure a new Sauber contract. The 35-year-old wants to sign a multi-year deal, but the Swiss outfit are reluctant to agree on these terms as they consider alternatives in the market. The leading contender to replace Bottas is Gabriel Bortoleto, who is rated very highly by Mattia Binotto.
McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto is the biggest challenge to Valtteri Bottas’ Sauber seat
Despite being part of the McLaren academy, Bortoleto has no immediate path to F1 with the British team. Unlike Mercedes or Ferrari, who can loan their academy drivers to customer teams, McLaren have no space for the Brazilian.
Even with the ongoing noise surrounding Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, neither will be replaced anytime soon. Both drivers are part of the team’s long-term plans.
Because of this, Bortoleto has the freedom to sign elsewhere if opportunities arise in F1. Fernando Alonso, who is one of the Brazilian driver’s managers, is actively involved in negotiations.
Although nothing is agreed upon at this stage, Sauber are showing a strong interest in his services.
Why Sauber are interested in Bortoleto
After several months of ultimately unsuccessful negotiations with Carlos Sainz, Sauber began looking elsewhere for alternatives over the summer.
Bortoleto, a 19-year-old rookie currently second in the Formula 2 standings, is an attractive option. For all the F1 news headlines focusing on Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman, the Brazilian is ahead of both prodigies in his rookie F2 campaign.
Whilst the F2 championship is too volatile to judge a driver’s pace solely based on the standings, Bortoleto is obviously an exciting prospect.
Just last weekend in Monza, he charged from last on the grid to finish first. Having won the Formula 3 Championship last year, the 19-year-old’s ability continues to shine through.
In addition to his speed, Bortoleto has great commercial potential. Franco Colapinto’s impact since joining Williams has already been significant, with several Argentinian sponsors reaching agreements with the team.
This is without mentioning the volume of Argentine fans that James Vowles’ team is now accumulating.
Of course, this does not detract from Colapinto’s genuinely impressive debut. However, it speaks to the kind of impact Bortoleto could have if he joined Sauber.
The future is uncertain for Bottas
Although recently-appointed CTO Mattia Binotto has been diplomatic in his media comments about Bottas, there is no denying the Finn is in a precarious position.
After all, the Swiss team quite publicly pursued other drivers to replace him. Whilst these deals failed to materialise, Sauber’s hesitance to commit to Bottas is telling. At any point in the last twelve months, they could have extended the Finn’s contract.
At each stage, they have chosen to postpone a decision.
Perhaps if Bottas were satisfied with a one-year contract, Sauber would be willing to finalise their 2025 line-up. However, this kind of short-term deal is not acceptable for the 10-time race winner – who wants security in F1.
Moreover, it seems clear that Audi are trying to construct their ideal driver partnership ahead of the 2026 regulations.
Although Bottas has experience and a proven track record, the German manufacturer might prefer to invest in a young driver, which would complete a dynamic driver partnership with Nico Hulkenberg.
Having spent months evaluating their driver options, a decision is expected soon from the Hinwil-based outfit.
