Gabriel Bortoleto set to graduate to Formula 1 with Kick Sauber

Kick Sauber have announced that Gabriel Bortoleto will complete the team’s line-up for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The Invicta Racing driver and current Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship leader will race alongside Nico Hulkenberg next season.

Bortoleto has taken two race victories this season and a further three second place finishes across the campaign so far and leads Isack Hadjar ahead of the final two rounds of the campaign.

Speaking about his signing with Sauber, Bortoleto said he was hugely excited to be racing in Formula 1 next season.

“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,” Bortoleto said. “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.”

COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport Mattia Binotto added that the team was excited by the Brazilian’s speed shown in 2024 in F2 and looking forward to working with him.

“Gabriel has already demonstrated in the junior categories that he has what it takes to be a winning driver. We are very pleased that he will become a team member of Sauber and Audi. Together with Gabriel, we are on a journey towards success, and we will evolve into a unified force to shape a new era for Audi in motorsport. Nico and Gabriel represent the ideal combination of experience and youth, positioning us strongly for the future.”