Gabriel Bortoleto will become the first full-time Brazilian since Felipe Massa to race in Formula 1 when he joins the grid in 2025.
The 20-year-old will be joining Sauber next season in what is their final year in F1. Bortoleto has signed a contract until at least the end of 2026, which would see him become an Audi works driver when they take over from the Swiss team that season.
The Brazilian will partner Nico Hulkenberg, who has also signed a multi-year deal. The German comes to Sauber – having previously raced with them in 2013 – off the back of an impressive 2024 season with Haas, scoring 41 points.
Bortoleto joins the F1 grid having won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships consecutively at the first attempt, winning the latter in Abu Dhabi over Isack Hadjar.
At the time of writing, the Brazilian is one of four rookies to be confirmed on the 2025 grid. Fernando Alonso, who manages Bortoleto, thinks he is the best rookie in F1 next year after winning the F2 title.
However, as Lucas di Grassi put it, Bortoleto joins F1 in a ‘complicated situation’, and the fellow Brazilian thinks he may have to start thinking about his future already.
Lucas di Grassi tells Gabriel Bortoleto to escape Audi for a better team ‘as soon as possible’
Sauber were the worst-performing team of 2024 by some distance as they languished at the back of the field for much of the year. The C44 did find some performance in the final few races, with Zhou’s trojan effort in Qatar giving the team their first and only points of the season as the Chinese driver finished an impressive eighth.
Next year will certainly be a learning year for Bortoleto as he is likely to be at the back of the grid in 2025 – something di Grassi experienced during his time with Virgin Racing in 2010.
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know
Despite having been an Audi driver for over a decade, di Grassi does not seem confident in their F1 project, and thinks Bortoleto needs to ‘escape’ the team as soon as he can.
“I have great affection for the brand. I spent 10 years with Audi, what I want is for them to get along well,” he said via Motorsport Brasil.
“The problem is that it’s complicated, okay? [He’s] in a complicated situation, the structure there of the team, and I think that next year people have to be calm with Bortoleto because they are the worst team on the grid.
“I know because I was at Virgin, my team was the worst team on the grid. I know what it’s like to go back there, motivation and such is difficult.
“And, if they were, I think what he has to do is show his service there in the best way possible and try to escape to an average team or better as soon as possible, This would be my vision for him.”
Can Gabriel Bortoleto perform at Sauber in 2025?
As aforementioned, Bortoleto is likely to be spending most of 2025 at the back of the grid, with not much expected to change from this season until the new technical regulations come into effect in 2026.
George Russell thinks Sauber will be good preparation for Bortoleto, speaking from experience having driven at the back with Williams before moving to Mercedes.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future
However, there is no guarantee that Audi will turn the team’s fortunes around when they enter the sport. The German manufacturer are bringing their own power unit, but rumours suggest Audi are behind schedule on their 2026 car due to a lack of ‘qualified personnel.
Furthermore, they will inherit a Sauber team that does not have a winning mentality according to Valtteri Bottas, creating more doubt about the competitiveness of their project.
All eyes will be on Bortoleto in 2025 and the years to come at Audi. But if the team cannot improve, it may be wise for the 20-year-old to consider di Grassi’s vision and explore other options.
