Sauber yesterday, Audi tomorrow
The 2025 season marked the final year of Sauber in Formula 1, the Swiss team founded in 1993 by Peter Sauber and recently acquired by Audi ahead of next season, which will see the German manufacturer make its debut in the F1 Circus. In 2026, however, there will be no changes to the driver line-up, with Nico Hülkenberg remaining alongside Gabriel Bortoleto, one of the rookies from last season.
Weekend results
The 2024 Formula 2 champion, the Brazilian driver finished five races in the points, with his best result being 6th place in Hungary. Nico Hülkenberg, on the other hand, scored 32 points more than Gabriel Bortoleto, thanks in part to his first career podium at Silverstone after an impressive 239 races—a record in F1. Yet, analyzing qualifying performances over the season, the young South American often outperformed the more experienced 38-year-old, starting ahead of Hülkenberg twelve times compared to the German’s eleven best grid positions.
Learning from a rookie
These numbers and performances provided Nico Hülkenberg the chance to learn from a rookie teammate: “Absolutely yes,” he told Motorsport Week. “Being a debutant doesn’t mean you aren’t competitive or don’t know how to drive. We were all rookies at some point, and in F1, you have to start somewhere. Gabi was really impressive in terms of driving input and techniques—this is something he’s really strong at.”
Consequently, Gabriel Bortoleto’s feedback proved valuable to Nico Hülkenberg for improving his own driving style: “Honestly, there were many moments this year where I learned from him. We compare ourselves constantly, analyzing each other’s data,” he added.
The German’s praise for his young teammate underscores Gabriel Bortoleto’s potential as a future star. If their knowledge-sharing continues, Audi could surprise the established order sooner than expected in the new regulation cycle.
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