Sauber Motorsport COO and CTO Mattia Binotto admits it was a tricky choice to exchange Valtteri Bottas with Gabriel Bortoleto in 2025.
Bortoleto was introduced on Wednesday morning, finalizing an all-new line-up subsequent season of the Brazilian rookie and Nico Hulkenberg. Meaning there isn’t any place for 35-year-old Bottas, and Binotto admits the 10-time grand prix winner was one of many major contenders for the emptiness however that the timing felt proper to introduce a younger driver whereas the Stake staff evolves into the Audi works outfit.
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The RACER Mailbag, November 6
“I’m getting on very nicely with Valtteri,” Binotto (pictured above, with Bottas) mentioned. “It has been an awesome relationship since I’ve began right here in August, constructing it, trusting one another. And I believe we actually arrange and had good communication between us. We had a number of talks in regards to the journey, the size and period of the journey, and the difficulties we are going to perhaps face within the subsequent seasons.
“We all know that the subsequent one might be a troublesome season as a staff, as a journey in the direction of the Audi F1 transformation. It’s a protracted journey. I believe on the period is the place we primarily mirrored collectively lots, and it’s the place I got here to the conclusion that perhaps we might want to have a younger driver with us.
“So all of it with him has been a mutual, let’s say, understanding — if not settlement, actually a mutual understanding — of the scenario, the details and what’s required.
“Greater than that, I wish to underline I believe he has actually been a really sturdy candidate. I do know he’s very quick. I do know that he has confirmed to be very quick till immediately, very match, he is aware of the staff. Actually he’s very extremely rated right here, and he’s very extremely rated within the paddock.
“So total it has not been a straightforward one, however typically you should come to a conclusion and decide. And we made it.”
Bottas says either side have been conscious of the place their future plans didn’t match up, because the Finn now seems sure to not race in Formulation 1 in 2025.
“A scenario like that is by no means simple for anybody,” Bottas mentioned. “However in any case the nice and in-depth discussions we had up to now weeks, we realized that the situations to develop this undertaking collectively weren’t met.
“These previous years with the staff have been an unbelievable journey, stuffed with progress, challenges and unforgettable moments. I’m grateful for the joint experiences in addition to the belief and assist I’ve felt each step of the way in which. Although it’s time to maneuver on, I’ll all the time carry a chunk of this staff with me, and I look ahead to seeing what the long run holds for us each.
“When one door closes, one other one opens. I’m really very excited for the long run and what’s subsequent.”
