Gabriel Bortoleto outlines what he and Nico Hülkenberg will have to “demonstrate” at Sauber in 2025

Sauber is preparing for its final year under the Swiss team’s name and is anticipating the arrival of Audi as a factory team in 2026. Current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will both leave the team at the end of the season as they fail to receive registration have point so far this year.

Sauber confirmed the signing of Nico Hulkenberg on a multi-year deal back in March and there has been speculation for months about who would partner with the German in 2025, with several drivers linked with second place.

Mattia Binotto wasn’t sure whether he wanted a young or experienced driver, but in the end he chose youth and signed Bortoleto to a long-term contract after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, making him and Hülkenberg the first Audi drivers. Drivers made when they joined the sport.

Gabriel Bortoleto has to “demonstrate” that he can be a leader alongside Nico Hülkenberg

Bortoleto has a highly experienced teammate in Hulkenberg who will provide great guidance to the young talent, but the Brazilian stressed that he is already learning some qualities that many would only expect from his teammate.

The 20-year-old currently leads the Formula 2 Championship with two rounds to go and has helped lead his team Invicta Racing to the top. Speaking on Esporte na Band, Bortoleto explained that he hopes to bring his leadership skills at Sauber to Formula 1.

“I led the team (in Formula 2) and asked questions that changed the engineers’ ideas and the way they thought about the setup of the car and the way they would approach practice or qualifying,” he said.

“I think that’s the only thing I’m learning, that leadership part. I think he will be very important in Formula 1, even more so with the new regulations in two years.

“It will be important for me to know how to lead the team in a certain way, in the direction I want it to go. Of course I have a very experienced partner, Nico.

“Two who work well together and lead the team in the right direction is better than one who does it alone and I have to prove that and I learn that every time I go out on the track with them.”

How will Gabriel Bortoleto fare at Sauber in 2025 given the torrid 2024 season?

Sauber is unlikely to get going with its current lack of performance with three races to go in 2024. With not much expected to change in 2025, this will be a big problem for the team, especially Audi, which is desperately hoping the team can improve its situation before its arrival in 2025.

2025 is expected to be a learning year for Bortoleto as he can take a lot from his teammate Hülkenberg and the team’s key executives. George Russell says racing at the back will be “good preparation”, as he found out from his time at Williams before moving to Mercedes.

However, many are wondering whether the Brazilian can make it to Formula 1. Rubens Barrichello wonders whether Bortoleto can withstand the pressure and whether he is properly prepared for the premier class of motorsport.

The 20-year-old is clearly a long-term investment and will be one to keep an eye on at Audi alongside Hulkenberg. But he faces a challenging debut season at Sauber next year.

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