Reports indicate that Gabriel Bortoleto, the promising 20-year-old McLaren academy junior, has officially signed a contract with Audi-Sauber, intensifying the 'silly season' in the Formula 1 driver market.
The move fills what is considered the last prominent vacancy on the 2025 grid, with uncertainty looming over the future of the team's current driver, Valtteri Bottas.
Bottas, speaking from Interlagos, acknowledged the complexity of his position within the newly Audi-acquired Swiss team, noting, "There's always a lot of politics in the background in this sport. We are talking about a big corporate company, a big business. There are many reasons for decisions."
Auto Motor und Sport's Michael Schmidt reports that Bortoleto's contract with Audi-Sauber is "already signed," with an official announcement expected soon.
It remains unclear whether Bottas might stay on for another season, potentially giving Bortoleto a gradual integration period before Audi's full entry in 2026.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella confirmed the possibility of Bortoleto's move to F1, saying, "In terms of McLaren, we will not stop the possibility for Gabriel to drive in Formula 1. So conversations are ongoing, and we will see what the scenario will be for the future."
Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave his endorsement, saying that in Audi-Sauber's position, he would have already "signed him [Bortoleto]" for 2025. "And '26, big rule change," Verstappen continued. "It's always good to get used to a team for a year, make your mistakes here and there, get integrated well, understand the car a bit. Feel much more prepared and comfortable and then start in '26."
Adding to the support, McLaren's Oscar Piastri reflected on the challenges of waiting for an F1 seat. "From my point of view, when you're achieving those kinds of results, you deserve to be in F1," he said. "I have the personal experience of the pain of not getting a seat, so for his sake, I hope he doesn't have to go through that."
