Bernie Ecclestone and his wife, Fabiana Flosi, revealed they played a part in helping Gabriel Bortoleto secure a spot on the 2025 Formula 1 grid with Audi-owned Sauber.
The team recently confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will be replaced by 20-year-old Brazilian rookie Bortoleto next season. Ecclestone, the former F1 boss, now spends his retirement in Brazil, where he lives with Flosi, an FIA vice president for sport.
"Bortoleto's father thanked us for our help in getting his son Gabriel to Audi-Sauber," Fabiana told Blick. "We opened a few doors there."
Bernie added, "The important thing for him now is that he looks for an apartment near the (Sauber) factory."
Reports have also surfaced that Audi is in talks to sell a minority stake in its Swiss-based F1 team to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, potentially also leading to a title sponsorship with Qatar Airways.
A Sauber representative, however, stated to Auto Motor und Sport, "We do not participate in speculation. The team is not for sale."
Bortoleto's 2025 debut creates a unique situation, as he will compete against Fernando Alonso, who heads the young driver's management company, A14. However, Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto downplayed Alonso's influence in the decision.
"He (Alonso) had very little influence on the decision, if any," Binotto said. "Gabriel convinced me all by himself."
Binotto acknowledged it was difficult to pass on Bottas, 34, given his experience.
"Valtteri knows the team. We know that he is still very fast and very fit. He is very highly regarded here," Binotto stated. "But we had to make a decision. It was always clear that we had to rely on a young driver for the long journey with Audi. And of the young drivers, Gabriel was our first choice."
He added, "The fact that the other young drivers are currently performing so well has given us the confidence that Gabriel will also be fast from the start."
Reflecting on Sauber's longevity, Ecclestone admitted he's impressed that the only F1 team based outside the UK or Italy is still thriving.
"I once told (founder) Peter (Sauber) that Switzerland is an island for Formula 1, and I admire his perseverance," Ecclestone said. "Now Audi is coming, but in the current situation, the Germans are perhaps not even unhappy that some people from Qatar are showing interest in the new project and want to get involved."
