Franco Colapinto sends two-word message to Gabriel Bortoleto after being signed by Sauber

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The 2025 Formula 1 grid took one step closer to being completed on Wednesday as Sauber confirmed the signing of Gabriel Bortoleto.

It means an end to Valtteri Bottas’s 12-year stint as a Formula 1 driver with the Finn unlikely to be signed by RB who have the only remaining open seat in the paddock.

Sauber also confirmed that Zhou Guanyu will leave the team after three seasons, although Zhou is in discussions about staying in F1.

There has been an awful lot of discussion about who will be Sauber’s second driver after they hired Nico Hulkenberg from Haas much earlier in the year.

With Audi set to take over the team in the future, there is hope that things will improve at a team that has failed to score a point all season.

In the end, Sauber decided that McLaren junior and current Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto was the right man for the job.

Bortoleto is a 20-year-old Brazilian and was in the paddock during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix representing the current Constructors’ Championship leaders.

However, there were suspicions that Bortoleto could be announced by Sauber and that has come to fruition just a few days after Max Verstappen’s epic win.

Williams driver Franco Colapinto has now shared his response to Bortoleto joining Sauber for 2025.

The Argentinian will be hoping he can find a way to stay on the grid next year to give F1 its strongest representation from South America for a long time.

Franco Colapinto sends Gabriel Bortoleto a message after signing for Sauber

The official Formula 1 account announced the news of Bortoleto signing for Sauber and said in a statement: “BREAKING: Gabriel Bortoleto signs multi-year deal with Kick Sauber.

“The @formula2 championship leader will graduate to F1 in 2025!”

Colapinto replied to the message on Instagram and said: “Bravo amigo”, which translates to Congratulations friend!

In a statement released by Sauber, Bortoleto said: “This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports.

“Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour.

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

“Beyond simply being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and for the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico.

“Both programs have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story.”

Franco Colapinto now fighting for the final remaining spot on the F1 grid in 2025

With Sauber off the table, Colapinto’s only hope of joining Bortoleto in F1 next year is if he’s signed by RB.

Colapinto has been linked with a move to Red Bull, although where he would fit in the setup is another matter.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Williams driver Franco Colapinto with praise to stats

Sergio Perez is under increasing pressure but throwing Colapinto in alongside Max Verstappen would be extremely risky.

Colapinto has also been linked with RB, which would see one of their drivers – likely Liam Lawson – move up into Perez’s seat.

Bortoleto no longer has to worry about the speculation in the driver’s market after months of wondering whether F1’s slowest team would take a risk on him.

Brazil has another hero to worship in F1 and Bortoleto will hope the talent he’s shown in F3 and F2 will help him make the final step up of his career.