One of the final seats on the 2025 Formula 1 grid have been confirmed with Brazilian rookie Gabriel Borteleto signing a deal to race in F1 next year. The 20-year-old will join veteran Nico Hülkenberg at the Stake Sauber F1 Team, as they opt for an all-new driver line-up for 2025.
Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, Bortoleto began his racing career at the age of six in karting and, by 12, he had moved to Europe with his family to pursue his Formula 1 dream. He is part of Fernando Alonso’s A14 management stable and, until recently, was a member of the McLaren Driver Development programme. Bortoleto currently leads the Formula 2 standings with just two races to go.
Borteleto’s appointment marks another significant boost for Latin American motorsport, following the success this season of rookie Franco Colapinto. The Argentine driver has made a big impression since his arrival in the sport, and his services for the future are highly sought after. Stake Sauber — taken over by Audi ahead of their full-time debut in 2026 — have decided to end their association with Finland’s Valtteri Bottas and China’s Zhou Guanyu.
Mattia Binotto, boss of Sauber Motorsport said: “Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a team member of Sauber and Audi. Together with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success, and we will evolve into a unified force to shape a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth, positioning us strongly for the future.”
