Swiss F1 team Kick Sauber has announced that Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and China’s Guanyu Zhou won’t continue next year. For the 2025 World Championship, their lineup will feature German Nico Hulkenberg and 20-year-old Brazilian talent Gabriel Bortoleto.

Following the news of Bottas and Zhou’s departure, Sauber confirmed the signing of Gabriel Bortoleto after a standout season in Formula 2, where he’s currently leading the standings ahead of Frenchman Isack Hadjar. Gernolt Dollner, chairman of Sauber’s board, stated, "Audi’s F1 project, led by Mattia (Binotto), is making big strides across many areas. Signing our second driver is another milestone."

“We’re seeing a generational shift in Formula One, with young drivers making an immediate impact. Bringing Gabriel Bortoleto on board ensures we have one of these top talents. His signing reinforces Audi’s long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1,” he added.

Mattia Binotto, Sauber’s operations and technology director, praised Bortoleto, saying, "Gabriel has already proven in junior categories that he’s got what it takes to be a winning driver. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Sauber and Audi team. With Gabriel, we’re on a journey to success, shaping a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel offer the perfect mix of experience and youth, putting us in a strong position for the future.”

After the announcement, Bortoleto expressed his excitement, saying, “This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, and joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is truly an honor." He added, “Beyond just being a team member, my goal is to grow with this ambitious project and reach the top of motorsport. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity from the team and to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico.”

Bottas and Zhou have shared the Sauber seat for the last three seasons. This season, they haven’t scored any points yet, with Zhou’s best result being 11th in Bahrain and Bottas taking three 13th-place finishes.