HINWIL, Switzerland (AP) — Sauber has signed 20-year-old Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto to make his Formula One debut next year as a teammate of Nico Hulkenberg.

The move means current Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are without a F1 seat for 2025. Neither has scored a point all season and Sauber’s car has been largely uncompetitive.

The signing of Bortoleto, who leads the Formula 2 standings with two rounds remaining, gives Sauber a blend of youth and experience alongside 37-year-old Hülkenberg. German carmaker Audi is taking over Sauber, which will be renamed the Audi factory team for 2026.

“This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not all sports. Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honor. Bortoleto said in a statement.

“Beyond just being a member, my goal is to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico.

Bortoleto, who won the F3 championship last season, started racing karting as a child before his family moved to Europe. He is the first full-time Brazilian driver in F1 since Felipe Massa retired in 2017. Pietro Fittipaldi competed in two races in 2020 as an injury replacement.

Bortoleto joined the McLaren driver program last year and the team announced he would be released at the end of the 2024 season so he could continue his career in F1.

Bottas and Zhou had worked at Sauber since 2022.

“After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually concluded that the conditions to continue together could not be met. We therefore agreed that it was time to part ways.” » said Sauber. “We would like to thank both of them for the contribution they have made to the team over the past three years. They have been the epitome of professionalism, using their experience and enthusiasm to support our growth.

Bottas, who had joined Mercedes, could return to his former team in a reserve role.

“A situation like this is never easy for anyone” he said.

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