David Coulthard tells Sauber who they should sign for 2025 between Valtteri Bottas and Franco Colapinto

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Sauber have a major driver dilemma on their hands for 2025, and they’re running out of time to solve it.

They’ve already chosen veteran star Nico Hulkenberg as one of their drivers to lead their programme, but picking someone to partner him has proven to be tricky.

They’ve got in-house and external candidates to pick from, and from the outside, it appears that they have yoyoed between all of them.

The fight now rests between current driver and Formula 1 race winner Valtteri Bottas, and new kid on the block Franco Colapinto – so who is going to win out?

David Coulthard ‘would put’ Franco Colapinto in a Sauber

Colapinto has entered the sport and in four races, proven exactly why rookies deserve more of a chance than they have been granted in the modern era.

In fact, he has even started to beat Williams teammate Alex Albon, a man who his current team already have signed to a multi-year deal.

Because there is no space at the team he currently races for, he must now attack the only opening at Sauber, which former race-winner David Coulthard said he would pick him for, speaking on the Formula For Success podcast.

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“It wouldn’t be good to have someone of that talent sitting on the sidelines, as a highly qualified, fast reserve driver.

“It seems to me that the option is someone like a Bottas, who is there and former grand prix winner. Or you go for that youth play.

“I, much as I like Valtteri, if I had the choice between him and Colapinto, you’ve got to say that Colapinto has come in and really said to the world ‘I’m made for Formula 1.’ Therefore, he represents the future, I would put him in the car as well.”

Who is Sauber’s best 2025 option?

Looking at both drivers, it’s easiest to start off with the man who has the most experience to go off – Bottas, who has won multiple grands prix and championships.

He knows how to play the team game, and is going to deliver a pretty consistent baseline every week – he has proven that in 2024 despite being bottom of the standings.

Their car isn’t up to scratch, and placing a full-time rookie like Colapinto into the cockpit could prove to be a real struggle.

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He has been credited for his detailed level of feedback – a big bonus for Sauber if they are seriously considering him.

And if we’re being honest, it seems like he has more outright speed than Bottas currently, so he’s probably the better overall pick, as Coulthard mentioned.