The identity of the driver who will partner with Nico Hulkenberg next year is becoming clearer, shaping up to be Gabriel Bortoleto. Nothing is official, and both Audi and McLaren (which Gabriel holds Bortoleto’s contract) are keeping tight-lipped, but all signs point in the same direction.
It is certain that Gabriel will not compete in a second Formula 2 season in 2025, regardless of the outcome of this season, where he currently leads. However, McLaren has little to offer him at this point.
With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri under contract through the end of 2026, Bortoleto faces the prospect of a prolonged wait on the sidelines. A year as a reserve driver could be considered, as happened recently with Oscar Piastri, provided there’s a guarantee of a full seat after a year. Currently, Gabriel Bortoleto doesn’t have this prospect, making it hard for McLaren to offer something appealing to their junior driver.
There’s also a contractual risk, similar to what happened with Oscar Piastri and Alpine two years ago. The details of the McLaren-Bortoleto agreement are unknown, but many junior programs allow a driver to take a one-year break. However, if they’re not promoted to a main seat by the second season, the driver can be released, a possibility McLaren must consider. Here, Audi becomes an option.
Audi, which will officially debut Sauber under its name in 2026, won’t enter the next championship with high ambitions, but 2025 could still be an opportunity to evaluate and train a young driver away from intense pressure.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s candidacy fits well, with Mattia Binotto even admitting Gabriel is on his shortlist, but Audi does not want to place a driver in their car who’s under contract with another team. McLaren, however, currently has little to offer Gabriel Bortoleto, which could lead to an agreement with Audi, possibly with a small clause favoring McLaren in extraordinary circumstances.
There are no expected announcements in the short term. The final decision will likely be made during the break between the Brazilian and Las Vegas Grands Prix. A conclusion is also awaited by Valtteri Bottas, who is eager to know his future before other opportunities outside Formula 1 are no longer available.
Leave a Reply