Binotto: Fantastic Bortoleto a ‘no-brainer’ for Audi F1 project
Sauber F1 boss Mattia Binotto has lifted the lid on the team's decision to recruit Gabriel Bortoleto, a rising star in the junior ranks, for the 2025 season.
Binotto describes the 20-year-old Brazilian as “a fantastic and high-potential driver”, but also as a “great person” that matches well with Audi’s F1 project.
Bortoleto's journey to Formula 1 began with a dominant campaign in the FIA F3 Championship in his rookie year. He then joined McLaren's development program and quickly adapted to F2 machinery.
While his debut in the feeder series started slow, a remarkable turnaround saw him surge to the championship lead by mid-year. This mid-season ascent is what truly caught Binotto's eye.
Bortoleto’s signing comes amid a broader trend of young drivers ascending in Formula 1, sparked by impressive performances from emerging talents.
This season, rookies like Ollie Bearman, who filled in Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia, and Williams rookie Franco Colapinto have delivered performances that challenge the long-standing reliance on veteran drivers.
Bearman’s success, particularly, seemed to influence the collective confidence in giving opportunities to young debutants, with Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes and Jack Doohan at Alpine also joining the grid in 2025.
“They are all doing very well,” Binotto told the media this week in Hinwil.
“It's great for the sport. It's great for F1. I know they can do well but I don't think that I was waiting to see them doing well to make a decision.
“I followed Gabriel’s career, certainly even more intensively in the last weeks and months. I saw him racing and racing so well, being impressed by the speed, the potential.”
Despite the growing confidence in youth, Binotto emphasized that his choice ultimately came down to Bortoleto’s unique qualities.
“His capacity to first develop and improve [was impressive] and if I look around, I think [he] is one of the most talented and high-potential drivers we've got as rookies, and for Audi, that was a no-brainer – go for it.
“I don't think he's only a fantastic, high-potential driver, but he's a great, great person, too, and that's something for our project as well – it’s very important,” he added.
“So overall, I’m very happy to be here announcing Gabriel.”
Unbeknownst to many, Bortoleto is managed by Fernando Alonso’s A15 agency. While Binotto and the Aston martin driver share a history from their days at Ferrari, the Italian clarified that his choice was solely driven by Bortoleto’s performance and potential.
“He [Alonso] never influenced, never tried to come to me with a convincing argument because I think what convinced me was Gabriel, nothing else,” Binotto stated.
In choosing Bortoleto, Binotto had to make the tough call to part ways with experienced driver Valtteri Bottas. The Finn, a steadfast figure in Sauber’s ranks, had developed a strong rapport with Binotto since the latter’s arrival at Sauber in August.
However, the evolving needs of the team, particularly with Audi’s transformation on the horizon, tilted the scales in favor of new, developing talent.
“I'm getting on very well with Valtteri,” the Sauber chief admitted, acknowledging the solid communication and understanding they had built.
“We know that the next one will be a difficult season as a team and as a journey toward the Audi F1 transformation. It's a long journey... I came to a conclusion that maybe we will need to have a young driver with us.”
Reflecting on the decision, Binotto said, “It has not been an easy [decision], but sometimes you need to come to a conclusion and make a decision. And we made it.”
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