McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella confirmed development driver Gabriel Bortoleto is free to sign with a rival Formula 1 team to secure a spot on the 2025 grid.
Bortoleto is vying to become the latest in a long line of Brazilians to race in F1.
Naturally, his future was discussed during Friday’s press conference at Interlagos, a circuit that proudly celebrates McLaren legend Ayrton Senna.
After impressing as a rookie in Formula 3 last year, winning the title, Bortoleto is now leading the Formula 2 championship in 2024 and has courted interest from Sauber.
“Having the possibility to talk about Gabriel, I would like to take this opportunity to say once again how good a job he has been doing in junior categories,” Stella said on Friday.
“Winning F3, leading F2 in his first season, this leads into the fact that I think it is very, very normal and natural that Formula 1 teams are interested in having Gabriel as a driver.
“In terms of McLaren, [we] will not stop the possibility for Gabriel to drive Formula 1.
“Conversations are ongoing and we will see what the scenario will be for the future.”
Interest in Bortoleto from rival outfits has stemmed not only from his clear talent but also the fact McLaren has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked into long-term deals.
That means Bortoleto, who is represented by Fernando Alonso’s A14 management company, needs to look elsewhere to secure an immediate F1 future.
With a 4.5-point lead in Formula 2, if Bortoleto wins the title, he will have to move on from the series.
Sauber interested in Bortoleto
Realistically, the only viable option for Bortoleto in F1 is to sign with Sauber, a team struggling to make its mind up ahead of the 2025 season.
Nico Hulkenberg was signed to a multi-year deal, but questions still linger over who will join the German next year.
Valtteri Bottas is in contention to retain his seat at the Hinwil-based outfit, with Franco Colapinto potentially in the frame.
McLaren has been willing to let Bortoleto talk with Sauber since early September, but a decision is still yet to be made on the team’s lineup.
An impatient Alonso told Motorsport-Magazin.com that “Sauber has to make a decision.
“Gabriel is extremely promising for everyone.”
Bottas is also growing impatient, telling select media including Motorsport Week on Thursday that “well, one month ago, it was as soon as possible.
“So, of course there, from my side, eventually there will be a hard deadline as well.”
READ MORE – Valtteri Bottas notes ‘hard deadline’ on Sauber/Audi F1 talks
