Audi-owned Sauber has reportedly informed Valtteri Bottas that he will not be retained for the 2025 season.
Several reputable media sources, including La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy and Germany's Sport1, have confirmed that Bottas's seat will be filled by Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, 20, who has been released from McLaren's driver academy.
"In terms of McLaren, we will not stop the possibility for Gabriel to drive in Formula 1," confirmed McLaren team boss Andrea Stella.
For Bottas, now 34, a return to Mercedes as a reserve driver to George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli could be on the cards if he exits Sauber.
When asked about potential replacements, confirmed 2025 Audi-Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg said his current teammate at Haas, Kevin Magnussen, would also be an ideal choice for Audi-Sauber.
"I think we are already a very well-functioning combination with the right focus and mutual respect," Hulkenberg told Ekstra Bladet. "Also in terms of engineering and what we want from the car. When it clicks for him, he is very strong and very fast."
Former Alpha Tauri boss Franz Tost also voiced some concerns over Audi's decision to choose Bortoleto, suggesting Mick Schumacher would have been a better pick.
"Bortoleto is a risky decision," Tost told Sport1. "He has done a good job in the junior classes, but the jump to Formula 1 is huge.
"The cars are relatively easy to drive in dry conditions, but in the rain, like we saw in Sao Paulo, you saw what happened to the other highly praised junior drivers like Oliver Bearman. Franco Colapinto even had two serious accidents, costing Williams millions."
Tost also commented on the implications of Audi rejecting an all-German driver lineup, adding, "Politically speaking, it would also be an extremely unfortunate decision."
