Martin Brundle issues his verdict on Gabriel Bortoleto joining Sauber next season

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Gabriel Bortoleto is set to join Sauber alongside Nico Hulkenberg for the 2025 Formula 1 season, making him the fourth rookie set to make his full-time debut.

The Brazilian will become the first driver from the country since Felipe Nasr in 2016 to race in F1, while he replaces the outgoing Valtteri Bottas which will likely mark it the first time a Finn is not on the grid since 1988.

Bortoleto has impressed during his Formula 2 campaign this season and currently leads the series with just four rounds left between Qatar and Abu Dhabi. He was previously part of the McLaren Driver Academy but the team confirmed along with the Sauber announcement that they had parted ways.

Martin Brundle took to social media to offer his verdict on Sauber’s move along with Karun Chandhok, who explained why it was a good thing that the team went with a rookie.

Martin Brundle says F1 ‘more complete’ with Brazilian driver

The 20-year-old won the 2023 Formula 3 title and is also part of Fernando Alonso’s driver management company A14.

McLaren gave Bortoleto his first taste of F1 machinery with a test at the Red Bull Ring in a 2022-spec car this year, with Sauber Chief Technical and Operating Officer Mattia Binotto saying he has demonstrated what it takes to be a winning driver in junior categories.

Brundle believes F1 is ‘more complete’ with a Brazilian driver on the grid, especially given the support he is likely to garner when the championship returns to Interlagos next season.

“Formula 1 seems more right, more complete, with a Brazilian driver on the grid. Good luck to Gabriel,” wrote Brundle.

Chandhok explained why Sauber did the right thing by going with Bortoleto by investing in future talent, something F1 teams have been reluctant to do in previous years.

“Good decision IMO – nice to see Sauber backing new young talent! Strong, balanced line up alongside Hulk,” said Chandhok.

“Great to see so many good F2 graduates making it to the F1 grid Antonelli, Bearman, Doohan, Colapinto, Lawson along with Bortoleto….”

Valtteri Bottas ‘expected to pursue’ alternative F1 role

Both Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were confirmed by Sauber as not returning to the team for the 2025 season, with the Chinese driver exploring his options on staying in the paddock.

After nearly 250 race starts, 10 victories, and 20 poles, it is likely Bottas might not see himself return full-time to a seat in the future.

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

Bottas is reportedly ‘expected to pursue’ an alternative role as a reserve driver at his former team Mercedes, having last raced for them in the 2021 season.

Bortoleto will pair alongside Nico Hulkenberg for next year, ahead of their takeover from German car manufacturer Audi for the 2026 season.