McLaren clears obstacle for potential Audi F1 driver - report

Formula 2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto has reportedly been granted permission by McLaren to enter talks with Stake F1/Audi, over the vacant seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg. 

According to Brazilian outlet Grande Premio, McLaren has given the green light for Bortoleto to speak to the Hinwil-based outfit but under a particular condition. 

McLaren want to retain the option to bring the Brazilian driver back to the Woking-based team in the future, should Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri depart. 

Bortoleto is currently second in the F2 drivers' championship and is eager to complete a step-up to F1 for next season. It was only last year, that Bortoleto won the Formula 3 title. 

Newly-appointed Sauber chief operating and chief technical officer Mattia Binotto did confirm during the recent Italian Grand Prix, that Bortoleto is being monitored. Theo Pourchaire is also under consideration.

Should Bortoleto win the F2 title this year, then he will follow in the footsteps of Piastri, Charles Leclerc and George Russell in having won the F3 and F2 titles in back-to-back seasons. 

Bortoleto has been elevated into the junior category's title fight after a remarkable victory in the Monza feature race, where he took full advantage of a safety car to complete a sensational comeback from last. 

He sits 10.5 points behind championship leader Isack Hadjar, with three race weekends remaining, including this weekend in Azerbaijan. 

The reported green light from McLaren to Bortoleto is not all, as RacingNews365 has learnt that the Brazilian and his management have been in talks with Stake F1/Audi since the Belgian Grand Prix.