F1 team have dramatically changed their driver plans for 2026 after watching rookie in first two races

Follow us on Google Discover

Sauber have been seriously impressed with rookie Gabriel Bortoleto at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season and it appears to have changed Audi’s plans going into next year, F1 Oversteer can exclusively reveal.

Gabriel Bortoleto is one of six drivers enjoying their first full seasons in Formula 1.

Sauber signed Bortoleto from McLaren’s driver academy off the back of the Brazilian winning back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles.

Last year saw Sauber struggle at the back of the grid, but fellow new signing Nico Hulkenberg has already helped the team surpass their points tally from 2024 after finishing seventh at the Australian Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg struggled at the start of the race in China, and both drivers finished outside the top 10, even after three disqualifications were taken into account.

However, with the takeover of Audi on the horizon, it appears as though Bortoleto’s strong start to 2025 has already seen chiefs at the German manufacturer change their plans for their introduction to Formula 1.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto? Everything you need to know

Gabriel Bortoleto impresses with Sauber ahead of Audi’s 2026 Formula 1 takeover

The 20-year-old Brazilian wasn’t initially expected to be on the F1 grid this year and looked set to be the latest F2 champion to have to wait their turn with neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri set to be moved on.

However, Sauber decided against retaining Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu and brought in Bortoleto to partner Nico Hulkenberg.

Fernando Alonso is a huge fan of Bortoleto and believes he has the talent to become an established star in Formula 1.

F1 Oversteer understands that Audi were considering changing both of their drivers ahead of their season in the sport next year.

Audi have an established reputation across various motoring disciplines and are keen to make a splash in 2026 when F1’s regulations change.

Carlos Sainz was on Audi’s radar before he decided to join Williams, but F1 Oversteer believes that Bortoleto has performed so well across the first two race weekends that after envisaging replacing him at the end of the year, both he and Hulkenberg are set to be retained for an additional season.

It’s a vote of confidence that Bortoleto will welcome after his crash during treacherous conditions in Australia, but there have been plenty of signs outside of that mistake that he’s the real deal.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future

How has Gabriel Bortoleto compared to Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber?

Although the points tally puts Hulkenberg firmly ahead of Bortoleto – and if China is anything to go by, securing another P7 finish is going to be hard to come by for Sauber – the battle between their two drivers has been surprisingly close.

While the experienced German was knocked out in Q1 in Australia, Bortoleto stunned fellow rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli to advance to the second session of qualifying.

Bortoleto’s race ended in the wall as he tried to make up the gap to the back of the train of cars following the safety car in the closing stages of the race, but he had done a fine job keeping his Sauber on the road up to that point.

The 20-year-old outqualified Hulkenberg again for the Sprint Race in Brazil, finishing three seconds ahead of him in the race.

They were separated by just two-tenths during Q1 at the Chinese Grand Prix, but that saw Bortoleto eliminated and Hulkenberg secure an impressive P12 before both drivers went off on the opening lap of the race.

Sauber have one of the most talented experienced heads on the grid and a youngster with phenomenal potential, it seems they have no reason to rush into a decision to replace either driver.