A key reason for why Sauber opted to sign Gabriel Bortoleto over Williams star Franco Colapinto for F1 2025 has emerged.

Having turned in several starring displays for Williams as a mid-season replacement for the underperforming168澳洲5最新开奖结果: Logan Sargeant, Colapinto had fo♓und himself linked as a possible candidate for the soon-to-be-Audi works F1 team.

But Sauber announced on Wednesday that they have picked Formula 3 champion and Formula 2 points leader Bortoleto to complete their line-up next season alongside 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Nico Hulkenberg.

According🔯 to's Lawreꦬnce Barretto, Colapinto’s hopes of joining Sauber were “curtailed” because Williams were only prepared to sanction a loan deal.

“Sauber/Audi entertained discussions with Williams about Colapinto – with boss James Vowles actively trying to get him the seat – and opened talks with🐓 Bortoleto’s team (he’s part of Fernando Alonso’s driver management agency A14) and McLaren,” Barretto wrote. 

“They also listened to in💯terest from Mercedes junior Mick Schumacher and considered promoting their reserve driver Theo Pourchaire.

“Sauber/Audi had a red line, though. They were only interested in signing a driver out𒁏right. Loan deals were a noꦰ-go.

“That almost immediately curtailed Colapi🎐nto’s hopes – with Williams boss Jam♛es Vowles keen to keep him on the books having signed the Argentine long-term.”

The decision for new team boss Mattia Binotto then came down to either Bortoleto, or current driver 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Valtteri Bottas. Contract te💟rms were r𝄹eportedly verbally agreed with both, but Sauber ultimately leaned towards youth rather than experience.

“Ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, talks zeroed in on two drivers – Bottas and Bortoleto,😼” the report continued.

“Very quickly, Sauber/Audi and Bottas’ management agreed to terms. It just needed the final signature. In tandem, Sauber/Audi co♊ntinued talks with Bortoleto and his team ab꧂out a potential arrangement.

“An🦄d over the course of the Brazilian weekend – where Bortoleto’s team were in the paddock at Interlagos – an agreement was reached and this was the one Sauber/Audi decided to activate.

“The details were fleshed out early this ⛦week, with Bortoleto having a photo shoot on Tuesday ahead of the announcement of a multi-year deal on Wednesday.”