Gabriel Bortoleto mentioned he was decided to not sit out a 12 months of racing in 2025 after Sauber confirmed he’ll make his debut for them in Components 1 subsequent 12 months.
Sauber confirmed final week the Components 2 championship chief will be part of them as Nico Hulkenberg’s group mate.
“It feels wonderful,” Bortoleto instructed the official F1 channel. “It’s like a dream. Since I used to be very younger I began racing with a dream to succeed in F1 someday and now, having the ability to signal this contract and to be on the grid in ’25, I’m very grateful. And I’m trying ahead to it.”
Some drivers who’ve graduated from F2 to F1 have needed to wait a 12 months or extra, akin to Antonio Giovinazzi. Oscar Piastri sat out the 2022 season after successful the F2 title the earlier 12 months earlier than he was signed by McLaren for 2023. Jack Doohan will make his debut for Alpine subsequent 12 months after sitting out this season.
Bortoleto says Sauber had been contemplating whether or not they most well-liked to signal him for 2025 or signal one other driver for subsequent 12 months and have him be part of the group in 2026, however he pushed to have a race seat subsequent season so he wouldn’t be left on the sidelines.
“We have now been speaking for a few months already, I imagine, about what was going to occur. If it was going to occur in ’26 or in ’25,” he defined. “However I believe the ’25 information got here not so way back.
“It feels excellent, as a result of I didn’t need to keep one 12 months with out driving. Now, having the ability to proceed the momentum of driving – F3, F2 and now going to F1 subsequent 12 months – I believe it’s one of the best ways to do it.”
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Sauber will transition into Audi forward of the 2026 season and the introduction of latest energy items. Bortoleto says he was impressed by a pitch, offered by Audi F1’s chief working officer Mattia Binotto, describing the group’s plans.
“I believe the mission that Mattia confirmed me about Audi in Components 1 – the long run, what he needs, what Audi needs, and to be clearly the primary Audi driver ever – it’s such an amazing factor and an thrilling mission,” he mentioned. “So I’m trying ahead to it.
“On the similar time, while you get the possibility at F1, you don’t assume a lot the place I’m going to be, extra simply bounce in and do the very best you’ll be able to. However I used to be a really fortunate man to have been provided a pleasant mission for my future on a multi-year scenario.”
Bortoleto has been a member of the McLaren driver improvement programme throughout his rookie F2 marketing campaign. He says his focus is on his closing two F2 rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi wherein he’ll proceed to be a member of McLaren’s programme.
“I’m a McLaren driver till Sunday of the Abu Dhabi race,” he mentioned. “I’m nonetheless with them as part of the academy.
“They’re giving all of the help wanted for these two rounds. We did an distinctive job this 12 months in Components 2 up to now. We have to end on a excessive. We’re aiming for, clearly, ending this championship one of the best ways attainable. So all of the work I used to be doing earlier than I’ll maintain doing.”
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