Gabriel Bortoleto graduates to Formula 1 with Kick Sauber for 2025

Kick Sauber have announced that Gabriel Bortoleto will race for the team in Formula 1 next season, joining Nico Hulkenberg and completing their line-up.

The 2023 FIA Formula 3 Champion has continued his impressive ascent up the FIA pyramid this season and currently leads the Drivers’ Championship in Formula 2. He is in contention to become the first driver since Oscar Piastri to win the F3 and F2 titles in back-to-back seasons.

Speaking about his promotion to F1 for next year, Bortoleto said that the project at Sauber, soon to become the Audi works team, was a huge opportunity and one he was thrilled to be part of.

“This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports. Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour. Beyond simply being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and for the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico. Both programs have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story.”

COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport Mattia Binotto added: “Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a team member of Sauber and Audi. Together with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success, and we will evolve into a unified force to shape a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth, positioning us strongly for the future.”