Gabriel Bortoleto and Valtteri Bottas are the leading contenders to fill the remaining seat at Sauber. However, it is now understood that Bortoleto has an advantage over the Finn in contract negotiations. The 19-year-old has also received the green light from McLaren, who won’t obstruct his move to the Swiss team.
Contract negotiations between Bortoleto and Sauber advance – Bottas could lose out
As reported by LWOS in previous weeks, Sauber are getting closer to completing their 2025 driver line-up. After months of speculation and indecision, the time has come to reach an agreement.
Bortoleto and Bottas have been the leading contenders to secure a contract for some time. As it stands, Bortoleto is becoming the clear favourite to drive alongside Nico Hulkenberg last year.
McLaren give Bortoleto the go-ahead
The Brazilian, who is currently in the McLaren academy, does not have any prospects of joining the papaya squad in the foreseeable future. Because of this, an agreement with McLaren is necessary to facilitate a potential Sauber move.
As reported by grandepremio.com.br, Zak Brown’s team are understood to have given Bortoleto permission to join the Swiss team.
The main detail is that the 19-year-old would still retain ties to McLaren, meaning a return further down the line could be possible.
Given that a two-year contract is anticipated, this means McLaren wants to keep their options open after 2026. Considering Bortoleto’s obvious talent and potential, this is no surprise.
Regardless, the most important development is that a major obstacle to a Sauber move has been removed. This gives Bortoleto a clear path to joining the grid next season.
Valtteri Bottas could lose out
Whilst nothing is confirmed at this stage, a few factors are understood to have given the Brazilian an edge over Bottas. The most obvious difference between the two drivers is age, with the 19-year-old still improving and developing as a driver.
Bortoleto is also likely the cheaper option, with his wage demands almost certainly less than those of Bottas. As mentioned previously on LWOS, the potential commercial benefits of signing a Brazilian driver also could be significant.
Franco Colapinto’s recent Williams promotion (though a performance-based decision) is already benefiting James Vowles’ team – both on and off track.
Sauber could have renewed Bottas’ contract at any point this year. Although this hesitance does not mean the 35-year-old is out of the race, it speaks to the team’s hesitance about making him part of their long-term project.
The remaining days and weeks should provide more clarity on this issue. However, the momentum is increasingly on Gabriel Bortoleto’s side.
