Next year’s Formula 1 season could see as many as five rookies on the grid. Sauber recently announced Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto on a multi-year deal.
Franco Colapinto could join the Brazilian, Jack Doohan, Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman on the grid as rumours swirl of Red Bull’s interest in him.
With this story in the media, reports speculate that Red Bull may have to shell out €20 million for the young Argentinian driver.
A high contrast with Bortoleto’s situation when, on the other hand, Mattia Binotto, future Team Principal for Audi F1, has revealed that McLaren did not charge Sauber anything for the born in Sao Paulo.
Binotto has shared that McLaren imposed no restrictions, allowing the 20-year-old driver to take any Formula 1 seat that came his way.
“I didn’t discuss with Zak [Brown], other than to say hello and shake hands. We didn’t pay,” he explained.
“Gabriel was more free to leave because he got the opportunity.”
Bortoleto’s career progressed through FRECA, then up to Formula 3, where he won the championship in his debut season.
He joined McLaren’s Driver Development Programme in 2023 before moving to Formula 2 in 2024.
His career is managed by A14 Management, a company owned by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.
In 2024, although the Formula 2 season is yet to conclude, Bortoleto, driving for Trident, leads the drivers’ standings with 169.5 points.
He his two victories to his name and three podium finishes, with only two rounds remaining in the championship.
McLaren released a statement about his departure.
“Gabriel Bortoleto will be released from the McLaren Driver Development program at the end of the 2024 season to pursue a new opportunity in his career.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Gabriel over the last year and to have been able to contribute to his success and growth as a driver through the McLaren Driver Development program.
“We have a strong driver line-up in Lando and Oscar, and therefore we have always been clear that we would not stand in the way of an opportunity for Gabriel to progress whilst we are not in the position to offer him a seat with McLaren.
“We look forward to continuing to support Gabriel in his campaign for the 2024 FIA Formula 2 title and wish him all the best for his career beyond F2.”
