Sauber sign rookie Bortoleto for 2025 season, FIA won’t change controversial red flag rule, and other big updates

Sauber sign rookie Bortoleto for 2025 season

Sauber has signed Gabriel Bortoleto to partner Nico Hulkenberg in the 2025 Formula 1 season, bringing together a mix of experience and youth for the future Audi team. Sauber had pursued Bortoleto despite his ties to McLaren, and McLaren’s Andrea Stella allowed him to take this opportunity for a race seat. With Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu set to leave, Bortoleto is excited to join the Sauber-Audi project, calling it "one of the most exciting projects in motorsport." Sauber leaders, including Mattia Binotto, believe Bortoleto’s junior category success shows he’s ready for this role, as they work toward building a competitive team for Audi’s F1 entry.

Click here to read the full article by Ben Vinel (motorsport.com)

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FIA won’t change controversial red flag rule

The FIA's 2025 rules still let teams change tires under a red flag, a rule that has caused problems for years. It was criticized after Sebastian Vettel won the 2011 Monaco GP when Red Bull changed his tires under a red flag, giving him an unfair advantage. Despite complaints, like from Lando Norris after the 2024 Monaco GP, the rule is still in place. Changing the rule is hard because it could cause new problems.

Click here to read the full article by Will Wood (racefans.net)

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Who goes where in 2025?

Sauber, soon to be Audi, has announced Gabriel Bortoleto as their driver for 2025, replacing Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou. With this announcement, 19 drivers are now confirmed for the 2025 season, leaving just one seat available. However, potential changes could arise, especially due to Red Bull's decision, and Yuki Tsunoda still has an unconfirmed teammate. The full list of confirmed drivers for 2025 includes teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and more.

Click here to read the full article by Cas van de Kleut (gpblog.com)

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Why Sauber dropped Bottas and Zhou

Mattia Binotto has decided to drop Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu from Sauber’s F1 team for the 2025 season, bringing in F2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto to join Nico Hulkenberg. Bottas was in the running to stay but wanted a two-year contract, while Sauber only offered one year, which led to his exit. But why did Sauber drop its old drivers?

Click here to read the full article by Ian Parkes (racingnews365.com)

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Did 5mm of tire tread decide the Brazilian GP?

Max Verstappen’s win from 17th place in the Brazilian Grand Prix was a surprise, with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly joining him on the podium. Wet conditions made it hard for teams like McLaren and Ferrari, with Lando Norris dealing with brake issues and Charles Leclerc struggling to control his car. The 5mm difference in tread on intermediate tires affected the way cars handled, which helped Red Bull and Alpine perform better. In the rain, Alpine’s weaker engine didn’t matter as much, and it allowed them to compete more closely with the top teams.

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Click here to read the full article by Jonathan Noble (motorsport.com)

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