Max Verstappen has given Sauber some maybe surprising advise regarding their driver dilemma.
The team that will transition to Audi a year later has the lone slot left in the 2025 Formula One driver lineup.
Sauber is debating whether to give rookie Gabriel Bortoleto a chance or retain Valtteri Bottas alongside Nico Hulkenberg, their recent acquisition from Haas.
Verstappen, the F1 champion, firmly supported Bortoleto in the fight for the driving.
Verstappen argued, “Yeah, I mean, if I were Sauber, I would have signed him already.”
“You know, young drivers are the future, especially if that’s the case. And the significant regulation change in ’26.
It’s always beneficial to spend a year getting to know a team, make occasional blunders, integrate successfully, and have some understanding of the vehicle.
“You always start in ’26 feeling much more at ease and prepared.”
Bottas has been discussing an extension of his stay with Sauber for a number of weeks, but he has not yet been given the opportunity to sign a contract.
This weekend marks Bortoleto’s home round in Brazil, where he is presently leading the Formula 2 standings and making an impression. In addition, he is the current F3 champion.
However, if Sauber decides to give him the go-ahead, he has a contract with McLaren, which adds another obstacle.
“I believe he’s been performing incredibly well,” Oscar Piastri of McLaren remarked.
It goes without saying that he won F3 as a rookie the previous year and is currently leading the F2 title.
Therefore, in my opinion, you should be in Formula One when you’re producing those kinds of outcomes.
And I know firsthand how painful it is to be denied a seat. I thus hope he is spared that for his own sake.
“I don’t believe anyone will ever experience what I went through. However, I believe he has been performing admirably.
“Yes, I believe he deserves a spot in Formula One if he is acting honourably.”
Andrea Stella, the principal of the McLaren team, has previously stated that he would be open to working out a deal with Sauber that would allow Bortoleto to drive their Formula One car, but there would be a catch.
Stella had previously stated, “If Mattia Binotto came to me, you’re not going to stop him having a chance in Formula 1 when you have such a talent.”
We would, however, be quite interested in figuring out a way to keep him with McLaren.
“Because I believe he is a talent that McLaren may find useful in the future.”
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