McLaren has revealed that it would be prepared to reach a “solution” with Sauber which could see Gabriel Bortoleto secure the team’s vacant Formula 1 seat for 2025.
Bortoleto has emerged as a credible option to be granted the chance to make his F1 bow on next season’s grid alongside Nico Hulkenberg in a revised Sauber line-up.
The Hinwil-based squad is discussing whether to retain the incumbent Valtteri Bottas‘ experience as it prepares to transition into Audi in 2025 or go with a new driver.
Bortoleto’s title-winning Formula 3 season last term earned him a spot in McLaren’s Driver Development Programme and he conducted his maiden F1 test last month.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian has hit the ground running in his rookie Formula 2 campaign, attaining two victories and five podiums to secure the points lead last weekend.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella has been impressed with Bortoleto’s approach and sees comparisons to Oscar Piastri, the last driver to take consecutive F3 and F2 titles.
“Gabriel, he won the F3 Championship last year. He is now in the lead for the F2 Championship,” Stella acknowledged.
“I tell Gabriel the same thing I tell the team. Don’t look at the classification. Just think about the checkered flag all the time and race.
“One race at a time with the feet on the ground. And he does it.
“For me, it’s similar to Oscar. It’s not only the ability and the execution when he is in the car from a driving point of view.
“It’s also how humble these guys are. How available they are to just get the learning working with the team. At no point are they arrogant.
“And when you combine talent with hard work and this kind of values and attitude, I think it’s where you can grow as a driver.
“Gabriel is another example of growing so rapidly. If we think of his F2 campaign, he had some hiccups at times. Not necessarily only due to his driving.
“He had some car problems, but he didn’t give up. He stayed on the pace and now he’s building step by step.”
McLaren wants to retain an option on Bortoleto
Stella has revealed McLaren would be willing to engage in negotiations with Sauber Motorsport boss Mattia Binotto over a deal that could see Bortoleto prop up in F1.
However, the Italian has underlined that McLaren would endeavour to retain an option on his services in case either Piastri or Lando Norris choose to depart the team.
“If Binotto came to me, when you have such a talent, definitely you’re not going to stop him having a chance in Formula 1,” he admitted.
“At the same time, we would be definitely interested in finding a way to keep him in the McLaren family.
“Because I think he is a talent that in the future could be important for McLaren.
“We are safe for the long term with our two drivers. We couldn’t be any happier. But definitely we would like to keep him in the McLaren family. But I’m sure we could find a solution.”
