Nov.7 (GMM) Audi-owned Sauber left out its different choices, together with incumbent Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher, and confirmed that it has signed up rookie Gabriel Bortoleto for the 2025 season.
That’s the although, simply weeks in the past, Blick correspondent and veteran Components 1 journalist Roger Benoit confidently reported that Bottas, 34, would keep on the crew subsequent yr.
“A profitable crew boss instructed me on Sunday on the Brazilian GP ‘Sorry, the individuals in cost at Audi-Sauber gave me the improper data’,” Benoit now says.
“They clearly didn’t know themselves!”
10-time grand prix winner Bottas’ unhealthy information implies that, for the primary time in a long time, there won’t be a single Finnish driver on the grid subsequent yr.
“It’s unhappy, in fact, but it surely was a bit anticipated,” mentioned Mika Salo, a former Finnish F1 driver who drove for Ferrari but additionally Sauber previously.
“Valtteri stayed there for a surprisingly very long time,” he instructed Ilta Sanomat newspaper.
Bottas’ subsequent transfer is predicted to be a return to Mercedes as reserve driver, doubtlessly ousting that crew’s current third driver, Mick Schumacher.
Schumacher, 25, was thought-about by Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto for the second Sauber seat subsequent yr, particularly as they know one another nicely from their days at Ferrari.
When requested why he select Bortoleto over Schumacher, Binotto mentioned: “I don’t suppose there’s any blame for anybody, it’s simply that we selected a distinct alternative, that’s all.
“Possibly we should always ask Toto (Wolff) the identical factor – why Kimi (Antonelli) and never Mick?”
There’s little doubt, nonetheless, that failing as soon as once more to launch a F1 comeback is an enormous blow to Schumacher’s profession. “It hurts,” mentioned RTL reporter Felix Gorner, “but it surely’s clear {that a} generational change is coming to Components 1.”
Even Mick’s uncle Ralf, himself a former F1 driver, admits the German’s F1 dream may very well be over. “Sadly, Components 1 is relatively unrealistic for Mick now, until somebody drops out because of sickness.
“The query now could be who would be the reserve driver, and the place? Or will Mick now think about his endurance racing profession as an alternative?
“Typically I feel it’s good that Audi goes down a brand new path with a younger driver who has gained in Components 3 and is presently main Components 2,” Ralf Schumacher added. “That’s the same degree to Oscar Piastri.”
