F1 News
Binotto "happy" to bring Bortoleto to Sauber and pass on Schumacher
Sauber CEO Mattia Binotto has said he is "happy with [Sauber's] decisions" to bring Formula 2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto to the Audi project and sign for the 2025 season. The second seat at Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026, had been open for months, with many drivers rumoured to be in conversation with Binotto to be a part of the Audi project in the premier class of motorsport, and today, the Brazilian driver was announced to be the newest rookie on the grid next year.
For months, there have been many rumours circuiting as to who would join Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber for the 2025 season and be a part of the Audi project that will come to F1 in 2026. The signing of Hulkenberg ensured that a German driver would be at the forefront of the German team's journey in F1, and there was plenty of talk of adding another German driver to their lineup, that being Mick Schumacher.
Schumacher, son of all-time great Michael Schumacher, spent two seasons at Haas, but after struggling in his second season in 2021, he did not return to the grid for the following season. There was talk that a potential to return to the grid was on the cards, either at Alpine which he currently races for in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), or as a part of the Audi project.
However, last weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella hinted that there would soon be news regarding Bortoleto, a McLaren junior driver. Then, on Wednesday morning, the news was announced that Stake F1 would be signing Bortoleto for next season. It means that the Brazilian will no longer be a part of the McLaren junior programme, and it also dashes the hopes of Schumacher and his future in F1.
Sauber "had to make a decision" between Schumacher and Bortoleto
While speaking to Sky Sports Germany about the latest addition to the 2025 driver lineup, Binotto explained why Sauber decided to sing Bortoleto, the current Formula 2 championship leader, over Schumacher: "I know him [Schumacher] very well from the past, and I know his strengths and maybe also his weaknesses," the former Ferrari team principal said, indicating that there have been talks with "many candidates" in recent weeks and months.
"Mick would certainly have been a good choice, but sometimes you have to make a decision," Binotto continued, also adding that the choice was not against Schumacher, but in favour of Bortoleto: "That's it. We are happy with our decision."
Now, for Schumacher, his future in F1 seems all but over. This year, he has competed in WEC for Alpine. Alongside Jack Doohan, he competed with the French team to succeed Esteban Ocon, who will race for Haas F1 in 2025. However, Alpine junior Doohan emerged victorious, and he will become another rookie on the grid in 2025. At Visa Cash App RB, a seat has yet to be filled, but Schumacher is not in the running for that seat, Helmut Marko previously said.
This article was created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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