Audi’s entry into F1 in 2026 is shaking up the driver lineup, with surprising new contenders making waves.
- Nico Hulkenberg is reportedly in line to be paired with a rookie teammate for the 2025 season.
- The 19-year-old Brazilian sensation, Gabriel Bortoleto, could be the surprise pick alongside Hulkenberg.
- Bortoleto has already made a name for himself, winning the 2023 Formula 3 Championship and impressing in Formula 2.
- Big changes in management at Sauber, now under Audi, are also influencing these driver decisions.
Audi’s official entry into Formula 1 is set for 2026, but the team, currently known as Sauber, is already making waves in driver decisions. Nico Hulkenberg is being eyed to team up with a promising rookie in 2025.
Enter Gabriel Bortoleto. The 19-year-old Brazilian, currently part of McLaren’s junior program, is rumored to be a top contender. Bortoleto has impressed in the junior categories, clinching the 2023 Formula 3 Championship and currently sitting at P2 in the Formula 2 standings.
Bortoleto’s feat of winning an F2 feature race in Austria and securing three more P2 finishes makes him a strong candidate. His trajectory mirrors that of current McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri, who also won the F3 and F2 titles consecutively.
However, Bortoleto’s future might not be with McLaren’s F1 team. Audi’s incoming boss, Mattia Binotto, reportedly has him on the radar as Hulkenberg’s teammate for 2025, shaking up the expected driver lineup.
Current Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu might face uncertainty, as one or both could be ousted to make room for Audi’s new picks.
The changes at the Sauber camp are notable. With the former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto replacing Andreas Seidl and Jonathan Wheatley stepping in from Red Bull to manage the operation, the team’s dynamics are shifting.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasized the need for independence and efficiency in their Formula 1 project. By bringing in seasoned professionals like Binotto and Wheatley, Audi aims to create a streamlined, agile F1 team.
Despite the fresh leadership, Sauber finds itself at the bottom of the 2024 Constructors’ Championship with zero points. This underscores the urgency for revamped strategies and strong driver pairings for future success.
Bortoleto’s possible partnership with Hulkenberg marks a thrilling new chapter for Audi in Formula 1.
Source: Planetf1
