McLaren prospect emerges as surprise candidate to be Nico Hulkenberg's teammate at Sauber: Reports

McLaren F1 junior driver Gabriel Bortoleto has emerged as a surprise candidate to pair alongside Nico Hulkenberg at the Kick Sauber for the 2025 season. Kick Sauber, which would become Audi in 2026, have been vying for candidates to join the German driver for the 2025 season.

The Hinwill-based team was in contention to sign Carlos Sainz since the start of the season, but the Spanish driver opted for their rival Williams as his future team on the grid. Drivers such as Liam Lawson, Valtteri Bottas, and Esteban Ocon have all been linked to the team.

As per "Formu1a.uno", McLaren prospect and F2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto has now emerged as one of the candidates for the seat on the team for the 2025 season. The 19-year-old Brazilian joined the junior program of the Woking-based outfit last year in October and has put on some eye-catching performances in F2 this year.

When asked about his chances of potentially joining Kick Sauber next year, the young Brazilian said (via "PlanetF1"):

“That’s nice, to be mentioned by an F1 person because that’s where you want to end up. But let’s see what the future holds. I’m doing my job as best I can in F2, not in difficulty, but so that I’m ready to move up to F1. I’d say that’s my situation at the moment.”

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McLaren Junior chimes in on his chances of racing with the British team

F2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto stated that he had a contract with the Woking-based team and believes that the iconic British team wants to see him succeed in his junior career before a call-up to the senior team, but also added that the decision to move lay with him.

The British team has already signed Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on long-term contracts, that would see them race them until the end of the 2026 season at least. Speaking about his chances, the 19-year-old reflected (via the aforementioned source):

“I have a contract with McLaren, I’m their junior driver, I have a long-term contract. But I also know that McLaren wants me to succeed and wants to see me in F1. They know that they have two very good drivers and they are preparing me to enter F1. And, one day, to be their driver, because that’s my dream.”

“The decision is made by me, as a driver, and I decide where I want to go. I have power over my career. McLaren wants to see me succeed, they don’t want to trap me in any situation that doesn’t allow me to thrive in the sport, but obviously, they want to keep me under the McLaren umbrella,” he added.

The Brazilian is currently P2 in the F2 driver's championship on 129 points and is 36 points behind Red Bull junior and leader Isack Hadjar with four race weekends remaining in the 2024 season.