With 2025 fast approaching, the Formula 1 driver market is buzzing, with all eyes on the last available seat at Sauber. The team, which is preparing to become the official Audi team, must decide who will partner the newly signed Nico Hulkenberg. Three drivers are vying for the opportunity: Valtteri Bottas, Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto. Let's look at the options.
Valtteri Bottas: Experience at the Service of Growth
Valtteri Bottas, with ten career victories, is the most experienced driver among the candidates. His presence at Sauber since 2022 has brought a certain level of stability, but the results have not always been exciting. Mattia binotto, Audi’s new chief operating officer and technical officer, believes Bottas’ experience could be crucial in preparing the team for Audi’s arrival. “This team needs to make progress in the next 12 months and beyond,” Binotto said, stressing the importance of having an experienced driver who can help improve the car’s performance and competitiveness.
Despite Bottas having a rather onerous contract and his career entering a transition phase, it seems that his stay for 2025 is a real possibility. However, there are questions: will Sauber really go for an experienced driver in a long-term project?
Franco Colapinto: the young talent on the rise
Franco Colapinto has caught attention after his rookie performances with the Williams, where he impressed with points and competitive performances. The young Argentine is seen as a promising talent, capable of handling pressure. His experience as a replacement at Williams has put him on the market, but not for Williams who already have the Albon-Sainz pairing for 2025. Colapinto would deserve a seat but how much is it worth risking losing yourself in a team that is not currently competitive? How much can a driver like Colapinto earn at Sauber?
His eventual signing would depend on how Williams manages his contract and the availability of funding and sponsorship. However, with Colapinto's growing reputation, Audi is likely to seriously consider investing in him for the future.
Gabriel Bortoleto: The Rising Star of F2
The minor categories are back to doing their job: being a receptacle for young talents, ready to blossom and find their way in Formula 1. In 2025 we will see on the grid drivers like Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman. Young people who have shown themselves in the minor categories and who are ready to make the big leap.
Besides them, there are other drivers who are eager to get to Formula 1 and one of these is a driver from the McLaren youth system: Gabriel Bortoleto.
Gabriel Bortoleto has established himself as the favourite in the Formula 2 championship, attracting the attention of Audi and Sauber. His incredible performance, which has taken him to the top of the standings, has made him one of the most talked about youngsters. McLaren, contractually tied to Bortoleto, is said to be willing to negotiate a loan, but with reservations about the period. According to rumours, McLaren does not want to release him for more than two years, given their interest in maintaining control over him.
If he wins the F2 championship, his move to the top flight is virtually guaranteed. But that raises contract questions: how long can he stay at Sauber?
An uncertain but promising future
The final choice of Audi and Sauber will depend on several factors: experience, growth potential and long-term strategy. While Bottas offers stability, Colapinto and Bortoleto represent the future. The pressure to make the right choice is high, considering that the team must prepare for the transition to Audi in 2026.
With young talents like Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan preparing to enter F1, Sauber's decision to invest in a young driver could prove crucial. The competition for the seat remains fierce, with Bottas, Colapinto and Bortoleto ready to fight for a career-changing opportunity.
It remains to be seen who will prevail in this contest and which direction Sauber will take, but one thing is certain: 2025 will be a year of young drivers.
