Bottas and Zhou are both out of Sauber, with a new F1 2025 driver

Sauber has confirmed that neither Valtteri Bottas nor Zhou Guanyu will continue with the team next season, which was followed by a cryptic post on X: “Who knows?”

Sauber will field an entirely new driver line-up next season: Nico Hülkenberg will be supported by a yet unconfirmed driver, with Gabriel Bortoleto considered the frontrunner.

Sauber will have a completely new driver line-up in Formula 1 2025

After much speculation over the course of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, where various sources reported that Bortoleto had signed with the team, but they held off confirming due to the expected strong reaction from Brazilian fans, the team has made Bottas and Zhou official confirms outputs.

“After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually came to the conclusion that the conditions for a joint continuation cannot be met, so we agreed that it is time to part our ways,” Sauber said in a statement.

“We would like to thank both of them for the contribution they have made to the team over the last three years. They are the epitome of professionalism and have supported our growth with their experience and enthusiasm.”

Although both had hoped to stay with the team until the Audi days in 2026, the team thanked and said goodbye.

According to the Finn, Bottas had agreed terms with Sauber, but in the end Mattia Binotto and Co. chose a different path than the proven ten-time Grand Prix winner.

How the Formula 1 starting field is developing

👉F1 2025 driver line-up: Who has already been confirmed for the 2025 grid?

👉F1 2026 driver line-up: Lewis Hamilton and other drivers already confirmed for 2026

With a cryptic post

The young McLaren driver, who leads the Formula 2 championship this year and is managed by Fernando Alonso, was a star of a junior series.

In order to move to Sauber, however, he first had to say goodbye to McLaren for logistical reasons, as this exit was supposedly agreed in the run-up to the Interlagos weekend.

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella hinted at this, saying: “I think it's very, very normal and natural that Formula 1 teams are interested in having Gabriel as a driver.”

“As far as McLaren is concerned, McLaren will not stop Gabriel from racing in Formula 1. So the discussions are ongoing and we will see what the scenario will be in the future.”

These conversations appear to have taken place.

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