Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will race for Sauber in Formula 1 next year alongside veteran Nico Hulkenberg, replacing current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

“This is one of the passion projects in motorsport, indeed all sports,” Sauber, which will become the Audi team in 2026, said, quoting him.

“Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honor.”

Season to forget

Bottas and Zhou are set to leave at the end of the season after neither has scored a Drivers’ Championship point this campaign so far.

“After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually concluded that the conditions to continue together could not be met. We therefore agreed that it was time to part ways,” Sauber said.

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“We would like to thank both of them for the contribution they have made to the team over the past three years.

“They embody professionalism, using their experience and enthusiasm to support our growth. »

An unclear future

It’s unclear what the future holds for former Williams and Mercedes driver Finn Bottas and Zhou.

Last month, Bottas said he would consider returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver next year if he was not retained by Sauber.

Sauber had become Zhou China’s first Formula 1 driver.

“Unfortunately, the last two seasons have been difficult for everyone, but I want to look to the future,” Zhou said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added: “I am now discussing a number of options to remain in the Formula 1 paddock.”

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