‘Impressive’ driver is now ‘out of all the equations’ to race for Sauber’s F1 team in 2025

Follow us on Google Discover

Sauber have had one of the worst seasons in their history this year with the Formula 1 team yet to score a point as they approach the end of their time in the sport.

Valtteri Bottas currently sits bottom of the Drivers’ Championship with Franco Colapinto leapfrogging him on his debut at the Italian Grand Prix.

His teammate Zhou Guanyu isn’t doing much better and hasn’t been able to match his 11^th-place finish from the season opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix throughout the next 15 races.

It leaves Audi – who take over Sauber’s Formula 1 entry in 2026 – with a difficult decision to make.

Mattia Binotto has been brought in to take over the Audi project from Andreas Seidl.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from team principal to Audi future

Seidl brought in Nico Hulkenberg from Haas for 2025 which appears to be an inspired move given his brilliant form this year.

However, they’re still unsure about who is going to join Hulkenberg next season ahead of Sauber’s final campaign in F1.

Speaking to Motorsport ES, Theo Pourchaire has admitted that he would love to make the step up from his role as reserve driver.

The current Formula 2 champion, Binotto has admitted that Pourchaire is under consideration.

However, it appears very unlikely that Pourchaire will make the step up despite his F2 pedigree.

Theo Pourchaire wants unlikely promotion into Sauber seat in 2025

Talking about his chances of making it to Formula 1, the ‘impressive’ Pourchaire said: “From the outside, sure, if you’re in my position, it seems unfair, as I think it’s also unfair for Drugovich, for example, since he won the title, and… You know [he doesn’t have a seat].”

“That’s the world of Formula 1. I really hope I can get my chance one day. I’m ready to give it my all. I’m passionate about this world and I’m ready to give it my all. I’m not asking for anything, just a seat and a steering wheel – in short, yes, my chance in an F1 car.”

However, the report from Motorsport goes on to that ‘everything’ indicates that Pourchaire is ‘out of all the equations’ for next year’s seat.

Binotto appears to have narrowed his shortlist down to two drivers.

It looks set to be a battle between youth and experience and the next couple of races might decide which way they go.

Valtteri Bottas in pole position for 2025 Sauber seat amid threat from Gabriel Bortoleto

Sauber are in a position where they could stick with Bottas or dive into the market to find an exciting rookie to race alongside Hulkenberg.

Bottas is the favourite to remain at Sauber and given the team’s current predicament, having his experience could be very beneficial.

However, it’s hard to judge just how quick Bottas is this year as Zhou has been so far off the pace and Sauber have regularly used his car to experiment with new parts and setups which haven’t worked.

The alternative is Bortoleto who has held talks with Sauber in recent weeks and put in some fantastic performances in Formula 2 to grab their attention.

A mistake in qualifying saw him starting at the back of the grid in Monza but went on to win the Feature Race thanks to a well-timed safety car.

He’s come into F2 off the back of winning Formula 3 in his rookie season and could repeat that feat this year with Isack Hadjar faltering.

Bortoleto is currently part of McLaren’s stable under Fernando Alonso’s management and could follow the handful of rookies joining the grid in 2025.