Audi insider shares why Gabriel Bortoleto was the ‘perfect’ replacement for Valtteri Bottas

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Sauber are preparing for their final races as a Formula 1 team before Audi’s takeover is completed during the winter break.

Audi are an iconic brand in motorsport, but have never forayed into Formula 1.

A decision was made to take over Sauber in 2022, and last year, presented team chief Mattia Binotto with a crucial choice over which drivers would lead the German automotive giants into their first season on the grid.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were Sauber’s drivers last year, but the Finn failed to score a point in the drivers’ championship, and Zhou only saved their blushes with a P8 finish at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Nico Hulkenberg was confirmed earlier in the year as a Sauber driver for 2025 after a strong spell at Haas, but the identity of the second driver remained a mystery for some time.

Former F1 driver Allan McNish is now working alongside Audi ahead of their maiden F1 debut.

He explained why Gabriel Bortoleto presented himself as the ‘perfect’ driver to partner Hulkenberg this season, replacing Bottas in the process.

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

Allan McNish explains why Gabriel Bortoleto is ‘perfect’ for Audi after replacing Valtteri Bottas

McNish was asked if Hulkenberg and Bortoleto are a ‘perfect blend of experience’ on the Beyond The Grid Podcast and said: “So Nico, I think you saw in Silverstone exactly why you put him in a car.

“Difficult conditions, the experience there, the skill, the balance, the mentality, everything else was just sensational.

“And he pulled the podium out of something that you never thought halfway through the race was going to be a podium.

“And then with Gabby, it’s quite clear you know Formula 3 champion first year, Formula 2 champion first year, not a bad result, is it really?

“He’s got a very level, calm head about him, and I think it is exactly a perfect scenario where you’ve got someone who has got that experience, someone who is fresh into the environment with so much potential.

“But also, the two of them work together very well. They’re not political, they’re not fighting against each other.

“They realise that actually there is quite a long journey ahead and they’ve got to work together and the whole team aspect on both sides of the garage working together as well, and I think the drivers lead that to a great extent.”

McNish also admitted that it was ‘clear that Bortoleto was going to have a long career in Formula 1’ based on his previous results.

He suggested that signing Bortoleto was a ‘straightforward decision’, particularly as he has so much spare ‘brain capacity’ when in the car during high-pressure situations.

READ MORE: Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin

Gabriel Bortoleto is already attracting interest from Ferrari as Valtteri Bottas returns to Formula 1

Bortoleto had a slow start to the season as Sauber looked like they might be languishing at the bottom of the constructors’ championship once again.

However, the Brazilian scored his first points at the Austrian Grand Prix and has a better record than Hulkenberg in qualifying.

Ted Kravitz believes all the top teams are keeping a close eye on Bortoleto, although the 21-year-old is said to be committed to the beginning of the Audi project.

He will soon be in a position to consider other options on the grid if his current trajectory continues.

F1 Oversteer understands Fernando Alonso is lining Bortoleto up to replace him at Aston Martin, potentially as early as 2027.

Bortoleto has also emerged on Ferrari’s shortlist, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s long-term futures up in the air.

Bottas, meanwhile, will return to F1 next season with the other new name on the grid, Cadillac.

With F1’s new regulations being put in place, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bortoleto and Bottas are doing battle on track at some point next year.