Brazilian driver has been signed by the Audi / Sauber team and will compete alongside Nico Hülkenberg in his debut season in the 2025 World Championship

Hinwil, 6th November 2024 – Audi and Sauber Motorsport AG have secured one of the most promising talents for the future of Formula 1: Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (20) will complete the team’s strong and balanced lineup alongside Nico Hülkenberg (37).

Born in São Paulo, Bortoleto began his racing career at the age of six in karting and, at twelve, moved to Europe to pursue his dream of reaching Formula 1. He made a name for himself by debuting in the FIA Formula 3 in 2023, dominating his rookie season and winning the championship, before stepping up to the Formula 2 World Championship, where he currently leads the standings with just two rounds remaining. Now joining the future Audi factory team, Bortoleto will have the opportunity to showcase his talent at the highest level of motorsport.

The team, which had already confirmed German driver Nico Hülkenberg for the upcoming season in April, now boasts a balanced combination of experience and youth. It is important to note that the 2025 season will be a time of great changes for the Hinwil-based team, as they prepare for the transition to becoming Audi’s factory team in Formula 1 in 2026.

Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport AG: “Under the leadership of Mattia Binotto, Audi’s Formula 1 project is making significant progress in several areas. The recruitment of the second driver is another key milestone. We are witnessing a generational shift in Formula 1, with young drivers making an immediate impact. By hiring Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these great talents. His signing strengthens Audi’s long-term strategy and its commitment to Formula 1.”

Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport AG: “Gabriel has already proven in the lower categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a member of the Sauber and Audi team. Together with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success, and we will evolve as a unified force to shape a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth, positioning us strongly for the future.”

Gabriel Bortoleto: “This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sport. Being part of a team that combines the rich history of Sauber and Audi in motorsport is a true honour. My goal is to grow with this ambitious project and reach the top of motorsport. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity the team has given me and the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico. Both teams have a proven track record of developing young talents, and I’m confident that together we will write our own success story.”

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Press Contact | Sauber F1: press@sauber-group.com
Florian Buengener | Director of Communications
florian.buengener@sauber-group.com | Phone: +41 76 321 09 86

Will Ponissi, Senior Communications Manager
william.ponissi@sauber-group.com
+41 79 591 57 85

Vanessa Roettger, Communications Manager
vanessa.roettger@sauber-group.com
+41 79 757 52 85

Elena Rovelli, Communications Manager
elena.rovelli@sauber-group.com
+41 78 209 18 57

About the Sauber Group of Companies:
The Sauber Group of Companies consists of two operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages its Formula 1™ team; and Sauber Technologies AG, which focuses on third-party business in advanced engineering, prototype development, and additive manufacturing, as well as full-scale and model testing in the factory wind tunnel and pioneering innovation in the field of aerodynamics.

Since its founding in 1970, the Swiss company has set standards in the design, development, and construction of race cars for various championship series, including Formula 1, DTM, and WEC.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team | Disclosure

Press Office of Gabriel Bortoleto
Responsible Journalist: Flávio Quick