🏎️ Gabriel Bortoleto Joins Sauber

In this week’s email:

• Gabriel Bortoleto Joins Sauber 🚨

• Audi May Sell Major Stake in Team 💰

• 2025 Driver Lineup 🛞

• F1 Drivers Open Letter to FIA 📝

Gabriel Bortoleto Joins Sauber 🚨

Big news for the 2025 F1 season: Sauber has confirmed that Gabriel Bortoleto (reigning Formula 3 champion) will join the team alongside Nico Hulkenberg. The 20-year-old McLaren junior will become the fourth full-time rookie on the grid next year. Following Oliver Bearman (Haas), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), and Jack Doohan (Alpine).

Bortoleto’s signing is a major step in Sauber's transformation as it prepares to become Audi’s official F1 team in 2026. He will also be the first Brazilian to race full-time in F1 since Felipe Massa in 2017. Bortoleto is currently leading the Formula 2 standings with just two rounds remaining. Further solidifying his place among the sport’s brightest young talents.

🗣️ Bortoleto’s Vision for the Future
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico,” said Bortoleto. “This is an exciting project that combines Sauber’s rich motorsport history with Audi’s long-term commitment to F1. I’m eager to help write the next chapter of this success story.”

Sauber’s decision to focus on youth comes amid a major team overhaul. With Bortoleto replacing Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Whose contracts will not be renewed for 2025. Bottas is a 10-time GP winner and ad been in talks to extend his stay. Ultimately parted ways with the team after negotiations stalled.

🔄 A Changing of the Guard
Sauber’s new management, under Mattia Binotto (formerly Ferrari’s team principal), is embracing a new direction with younger talent to support Hulkenberg, the experienced veteran. While Bottas and Zhou may no longer have F1 seats for 2025, their futures remain uncertain, though Bottas has expressed interest in a reserve driver role at Mercedes.

🚗 Sauber’s Long-Term Strategy with Audi
“Signing Gabriel Bortoleto is part of our long-term strategy and underscores Audi’s commitment to F1,” said Gernot Dollner, Chairman of Sauber Motorsport. “We are excited to bring on one of the sport’s top talents as we look to the future.”

The addition of Bortoleto marks the beginning of a new era at Sauber, with a fresh lineup and a clear focus on developing the next generation of F1 stars.

🔮 What’s Next for Bottas and Zhou?
Bottas recently hinted at a potential return to Mercedes. While Zhou, has said he’s focused on the next step in his career. Both drivers will be looking for new opportunities in a rapidly evolving grid.

Audi May Sell Major Stake in F1 Team Before Even Racing 💰

Big developments are swirling around Audi’s upcoming Formula 1 project. With rumors emerging that Audi may be looking to sell a significant portion of its stake in its F1 team to Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund before they’ve even officially joined the grid. 🇶🇦💥

Why is This a Shock? 🤔

Audi's F1 ambitions are clear—they spent €650 million in March to acquire 100% of Sauber. With plans to enter the grid under the Audi banner in 2026.

However, now reports suggest Qatar (already a major F1 sponsor through Qatar Airways) could invest up to €1 billion in the team. 🤯💸

What’s Behind the Move? 🔍

Audi’s CEO recently reaffirmed their commitment to F1. Saying the decision to enter F1 was years in the making and aligned with their corporate strategy. But there’s a catch: Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen AG, is reportedly facing a financial crisis. 🏭💥 With plant closures and potential layoffs of up to 30,000 workers.

This financial strain makes it tough for Audi to justify the huge investment required to succeed in F1 without outside funding. Enter Qatar, already a 17% shareholder in Volkswagen AG and a prominent F1 partner. Who could step in to fill the gap. 💼⚡

What Would This Mean for Audi?

If Qatar invests more than 50% in the team, it could result in major changes to the project, including a possible name and branding shift. 🏁🔄

The sale announcement could come as early as the Qatar Grand Prix this year, but details—such as the exact size of the investment—remain unclear. 🏆⏳

What’s Next?

While Audi is staying tight-lipped about these rumors for now, the deepening financial crisis at Volkswagen suggests that outside investment, like Qatar’s, might be the only way forward for the Audi F1 project.

2025 Driver Lineup 🛞

As we look ahead to the 2025 F1 season, the lineups for the upcoming season have been finalized. Here's the confirmed lineup for next year, with a mix of exciting rookies and seasoned veterans:

Red Bull Racing

1. Max Verstappen

2. Sergio Pérez

Mercedes

1. George Russell

2. Kimi Antonelli (Rookie)

Aston Martin

1. Fernando Alonso

2. Lance Stroll

Ferrari

1. Lewis Hamilton

2. Charles Leclerc

McLaren

1. Lando Norris

2. Oscar Piastri

Alpine

1. Pierre Gasly

2. Jack Doohan (Rookie)

Sauber

1. Nico Hülkenberg

2. Gabriel Bortoleto (Rookie)

Haas

1. Esteban Ocon

2. Oliver Bearman (Rookie)

Williams

1. Alex Albon

2. Carlos Sainz

RB

1. Yuki Tsunoda

2. Liam Lawson

F1 Drivers Call for Respect and Transparency in Open Letter to FIA 📝

In a bold move, Formula One drivers have written an open letter urging the FIA to treat them with more respect. Following recent controversies around its handling of “misconduct” like swearing.

The Controversy 🚨

Max Verstappen was recently ordered by the FIA to complete a day of community service after swearing in a Singapore news conference. Describing his car as “a bit f—d.” Verstappen slammed the punishment as “ridiculous,” and voiced his frustration in subsequent press appearances.

Charles Leclerc was fined €10,000 after using the same expletive in a press interview in Mexico, which further fueled unrest among drivers.

Drivers Unite in Protest ✊

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), the union representing F1 drivers. Expressing growing concerns over the FIA’s actions under president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Especially regarding the enforcement of rules on swearing.

The drivers emphasized the distinction between swearing for emphasis (like describing bad weather or car issues) and using profanities with the intent to insult. They also took issue with Ben Sulayem’s public comments about the drivers' language, urging him to consider his own tone when speaking about them.

Key Points from the Letter 📣

Respecting Drivers as Adults: The GPDA stated that drivers are adults and do not need to be lectured in the media over trivial matters, such as jewelry and underpants (a reference to the FIA's 2022 rules scrutinizing Lewis Hamilton’s earrings and nose stud).

Transparency in Fines: The letter called for clarity on the use of fines imposed on drivers, asking the FIA president to disclose how the money is allocated and to promote more financial transparency in F1.

Looking Ahead 🔮

The GPDA stressed its desire to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to improve the sport. They expressed a commitment to making F1 better for everyone involved—drivers, teams, fans, and the broader motorsport community.