Sauber Chooses Youth Over Experience: How Gabriel Bortoleto's Rise to F1 Will Shake Up the Sport

In a bold move, German-based Sauber has opted for 20-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto as their newest driver for the 2025 season. The young driver, who was confirmed in his role earlier today, will be sitting alongside seasoned drivers like Damon Hill and Luciano Burti on the popular F1 Nation podcast.

Bortoleto's rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. Having won the F3 championship last year, he went on to become a top contender in F2, where he currently sits as the points leader. His impressive performances have caught the attention of Sauber and other top teams in the sport.

So, why did Bortoleto choose Sauber over more established options like Finland's Valtteri Bottas? According to sources close to the team, Sauber was keen to bring on board a young driver with potential, who could help usher in a new era of success for the team ahead of their rebranding as Audi's works team.

The decision has thrilled fans in Brazil, who see Bortoleto as a shining example of what Brazilian racing can achieve globally. "It's a dream come true for many young Brazilians who grew up idolizing F1," said one fan from São Paulo. "Gabriel's success is proof that we have talented drivers to compete against the best teams in the world."

The question now remains: how far will Bortoleto take Sauber, and what impact will this new generation of racing talent have on the sport as a whole?