Sauber have confirmed Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto will drive in 2025 alongside Nico Hulkenberg because the workforce prepares to transition to Audi for 2026.

The workforce introduced on Wednesday Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will go away on the finish of the season.

Sao Paulo’s Bortoleto joins from System 2 and leads the championship with two rounds remaining. The 20-year-old joined McLaren’s driver programme in 2023.

The workforce stated in a press release: “We’re at the moment witnessing a generational shift in System 1, with younger drivers instantly making an affect. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we now have secured certainly one of these high skills.

“His signing underscores Audi’s long-term technique and dedication to System 1.”

Bortoleto stated: “Becoming a member of a workforce that mixes the wealthy motorsport historical past of Sauber and Audi is a real honour. Past merely being a member, I intention to develop with this bold venture and attain the top of motorsport.”

Bottas leaves the workforce after three seasons. Final week he raised the potential of returning to his former world championship workforce Mercedes as a reserve driver, the place he gained 10 races.

Sauber stated in a press release: “Inside the driver line-up, Valtteri has been a driving drive, elevating each his teammate and the workforce along with his unparalleled expertise, enthusiasm, invaluable technical insights and preventing spirit.

“Becoming a member of as a rookie, Zhou shaped a robust partnership with teammate, Valtteri Bottas, because the duo combined expertise and youthful enthusiasm. Zhou’s studying curve was steep, however the Shanghai-born driver made fast development and went on to ascertain himself as a dependable performer and an thrilling driver with a knack for attacking.

“With three races nonetheless to run within the 2024 season, Zhou and the workforce will strive their finest to complete this journey in essentially the most profitable means potential: there is a job to do, and everybody within the workforce is set to get it executed in the most effective method.”