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Formula 2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto is a potential candidate to partner Nico Hulkenberg at Audi in the 2025 F1 season. The team's newly appointed CTO Mattia Binotto is also reported to be impressed with his driving.
Sauber had confirmed earlier last year that their current lineup of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu would continue for a longer term. However, now that the team will be taken over by Audi in 2026, it is apparent that they are looking for different drivers. Hulkenberg, who currently races for Haas, was signed earlier this season. He will race for Sauber next year and then for Audi 2026 onwards.
While their second driver is yet to be confirmed, F2 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto is reported to be a potential choice. He is running 2nd in the current Formula 2 Championship with Invicta Racing which is impressive considering this is his first season in the sport. Before this, he won the Formula 3 World Championship in 2023.
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Mattia Binotto, who will return to the F1 grid as the German team's CTO, is also reported to be interested in Bortoleto as a potential driver for their team in the 2025 season.
The former Ferrari team principal's opinion will carry weight within the team since they will adopt a 'dual management' structure with Jonathan Wheatley and Mattia Binotto, which was recently announced.
Audi to adopt 'dual management' structure with Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatly
The German manufacturer recently hired Jonathan Wheatly as their team principal. He currently works as Red Bull Racing's Sporting Director and will start working with the Audi group later in 2025. This comes weeks after Mattia Binotto's signing to the team as the Chief Technical Officer.
An official statement from the team recently revealed that the two; Binotto and Wheatly, will be working together in a 'dual management' structure. The statement from CEO Gernot Dollner read:
"The decision in favour of a dual management team is part of the realignment of the control structure of the future factory team in the context of the full takeover of all shares in the Sauber Group by Audi."
"I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team. Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and world championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team," the statement added.
He further stated that Wheatly and Binotto working together would be able to use their vast experience in motorsports to bring the team success.
"With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula 1. I am convinced that with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi," the statement further read.
