McLaren is open to negotiating with Sauber if the team offers a Formula 1 seat to their junior driver Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 season. Sauber, which has yet to confirm its full driver line-up for the upcoming season, has been exploring various candidates after signing Nico Hulkenberg earlier this year. While Valtteri Bottas was initially considered a frontrunner, talks with him reportedly stalled over salary and contract length. This has opened the door for other candidates, including Bortoleto and Williams junior Franco Colapinto, both of whom are being seriously considered by Sauber.
Gabriel Bortoleto is a rising star, currently leading the Formula 2 standings and having already secured the 2023 Formula 3 championship. His impressive performances have attracted attention, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown has stated that they would not hold Bortoleto back if Sauber offers him a seat. Brown emphasized that McLaren’s current focus is on helping Bortoleto win the Formula 2 title, but they are unlikely to offer him a Formula 1 seat, as the team is content with its current line-up.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella echoed this sentiment, expressing a willingness to find a “solution” with Sauber. However, Stella also mentioned that McLaren would like to retain some connection with Bortoleto, as they see him as a valuable future asset for the team. Although McLaren has no immediate opening for a new driver, they remain interested in keeping Bortoleto within their organization while allowing him to pursue opportunities in Formula 1.
Meanwhile, Sauber’s decision on their 2025 line-up remains unresolved. Team boss Mattia Binotto has indicated that the team is in no rush to finalize Hulkenberg’s teammate, despite other teams having already confirmed their drivers for next season. This means Bortoleto, along with other candidates like Colapinto, may need to wait until the end of the season for a final decision.
McLaren is prepared to cooperate with Sauber if it means Bortoleto gets a chance at a Formula 1 seat, but they also hope to maintain ties with the promising young driver. Sauber, for its part, is taking its time in deciding its second driver for 2025, with Bortoleto being one of the leading candidates alongside Franco Colapinto.
