Stake F1 officially complete 2025 driver line-up

The Stake F1 team has confirmed Gabriel Bortoleto will join the squad for the 2025 season.

The Brazilian, who is a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, steps in to complete an all-new driver line-up for the team as Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu make way.

Bottas joined the Faenza-based squad in 2022 when it ran under the Alfa Romeo moniker on a multi-year deal. The suggestion is the Finn will return to Mercedes as a reserve driver.

Stake F1 confirmed earlier this year that Nico Hulkenberg would join the team next year ahead of its switch to Audi in 2026 when new technical regulations come into play.

It sparked a race for the remaining seat, with Bottas and Zhou in the frame, as well as Bortoleto and Williams rookie Franco Colapinto.

Bortoleto, who is currently leading this year's F2 championship by 4.5 points with two rounds remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, has ultimately been given the nod by new boss Mattia Binotto.

He becomes the first full-time Brazilian to race in F1 since Felipe Massa in 2017, and first overall since Pietro Fittipaldi's two races for Haas at the end of the 2020 season for the injured Romain Grosjean. 

Hulkenberg and Bortoleto are, therefore, expected to be the driver line-up for Stake as it transitions to Audi for the 2026 season.

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Bortoleto reacts to being given F1 bow

Reflecting on becoming the latest Brazilian to race in F1, Bortoleto labelled the project as "one of the most exciting".

"This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports," he said.

"Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour.

"Beyond simply being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

"I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and for the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico. Both programs have a proven track record of nurturing young talent, and I am confident that together, we will write our own success story."

Sauber Motorsport chairman, Audi CEO and Volkswagen board member Gernot Dollner - Binotto's boss - hailed the "generational shift" of Bortoleto's signing.

"Led by Mattia, Audi's Formula 1 project is making great progress in many areas," he explained. 

"The signing of the second driver is another milestone. We are currently witnessing a generational shift in Formula 1, with young drivers immediately making an impact.

"By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents. His signing underscores Audi's long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1."