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Valtteri Bottas is set to find a new team in 2025 as he is poised to lose his kick Sauber seat. Audi F1 has reportedly confirmed their lineup for 2025 and signing of Mclaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto is on the cards. The news that once perceived as a rumour has been confirmed by the team on Tuesday morning.
Bottas omission on the way
The Swiss-based team confirmed in April that Nico Hülkenberg would be joining from Haas, but had to consider other options for their second seat after top candidates Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon chose to sign with Williams and Haas for the 2025 F1 season, respectively.
Several drivers have been linked to the second seat in recent months, including current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, former Haas driver Mick Schumacher, Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich, Sauber reserve Theo Pourchaire, and Williams F1 2024 supersub Franco Colapinto.
Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner with Mercedes, told media at the United States Grand Prix that he had agreed to terms for a deal to remain with Sauber for next season. However, he is still waiting for final confirmation from Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto.
It now seems likely that Valtteri Bottas will be without a seat for the 2025 F1 season, as Audi F1 moves closer to securing the signing of 20-year-old Brazilian prodigy, Gabriel Bortoleto.
According to a report by German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, a contract with Bortoleto has already been "finalized," with an official announcement expected soon.
Audi's deal
Audi F1 reportedly chose not to reveal the deal during last weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix in order to avoid putting undue pressure on the young driver at his home race. Bortoleto, who is poised to become the first full-time Brazilian F1 driver since Felipe Massa in 2017, is currently leading the F2 (formerly GP2) championship. He holds a 4.5-point advantage over Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar as the series heads into its final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Mclaren team principal Andrea Stella recently gave hints to release Bortoleto
Stella told reporters in Brazil: “Having the possibility to talk about Gabriel, I would like to take this opportunity to say once again how good of work he’s been doing in junior categories — winning F3, leading F2 at the first season. And this is to lead into the fact that I think it’s very, very normal and natural that Formula 1 teams are interested in having Gabriel as a driver. McLaren will not stop the possibility for Gabriel to drive Formula 1. So conversations are ongoing and we will see what the scenario will [be for] the future," Stella said in the FIA press conference on Friday.
In an interview with media, including PlanetF1.com, at last month's Mexican Grand Prix, Bottas revealed that he would be open to returning to Mercedes in a reserve role if he is unable to secure a race seat with Audi F1
Firstly, the priority is to stay as a race driver, that’s what I want, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia. But, of course, as I don’t have anything signed – we’re in October – I’ve got to look at all the alternatives including going back to the Mercedes family. That’s for sure one option and I would consider it. But there’s other options as well, as well as going back to my priority, which is to be a race driver even more.”
