Gabriel Bortoleto in, Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas out at Sauber as 2025 F1 grid takes shape

Bortoleto joins seasoned German driver Nico Hulkenberg in the Sauber lineup. The two are contracted through 2026 and should stay with the team through its Audi rebrand. They're a fascinating pairing: Hulkenberg brings experience, wit and a Teutonic sensibility to the soon-to-be-German team, while Bortoleto brings promise, verve and a strong South American following.

Bortoleto is one of four rookies making their F1 debuts in 2025, joining Mercedes's Kimi Antonelli, Alpine's Jack Doohan and Haas's Oliver Bearman. The four represent a paradigm shift in F1's balance between experience and youth. The 2024 season began with an unchanged lineup and zero rookies, and the push toward youth in 2025 shows that F1 teams are willing to take more risks on top junior talent.

All those rookies had to unseat incumbents to get their shots, though, and that means F1 will be bidding farewell to some familiar faces to make room for fresh blood. In Sauber's case, the arrival of Bortoleto (paired with the previously-announced arrival of Hulkenberg) means that its current drivers, Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas, will find themselves without a seat for the 2025 F1 season.

Guanyu was the first Chinese driver to compete in F1. He spent just three seasons in the sport, but his impact was massive. Zhou is a well-known celebrity in China and his F1 performances lifted the sport's standing across his home country. 

"I am immensely proud to represent my country as the first ever Chinese Formula 1 driver," he said in a statement, via Sports Illustrated. "I hope that my racing continues to inspire others who are following my story."

Bottas, meanwhile, spent twelve years in F1, achieving 67 podiums and 10 race wins. He's best known for his years as Lewis Hamilton's partner at Mercedes, where his selfless performances helped the team take home five consecutive Constructors' Championships. But Bottas was far more than a number-two driver: his wry sense of humor, cool head under pressure and impressive racecraft made him a fan favorite across the world.

Zhou and Bottas will see out their Sauber contracts and race in the remaining three Grands Prix of 2024: Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. From there, it's hard to see where they might end up.

For Sauber, their departures are bittersweet. The two drivers gave their all during a very difficult season and will be missed, but Bortoleto's promise cannot be ignored. His partnership with Hulkenberg in 2025 could be just the spark Sauber needs to get competitive in advance of Audi's takeover.

F1 will return with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, Nov. 23.