New Sauber Motorsport boss Mattia Binotto says there are a selection of drivers in competition for a 2025 seat with Stake and wouldn’t rule out an opportunity for Components 2 champion Theo Pourchaire, who has gone on to made a powerful impression in IndyCar (pictured above) or McLaren’s F2 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
Binotto has began work as COO and CTO at Sauber, having been introduced earlier than the summer time break, with Crimson Bull’s present sporting director Jonathan Wheatley set to hitch him as staff principal subsequent yr. Following Mercedes’ affirmation of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Alpine’s choice to advertise Jack Doohan in 2025, Stake has the one remaining seat exterior of the Crimson Bull program, and Bortoleto has been linked after a formidable rookie season in F2.
“Firstly, Theo is our reserve driver immediately so one way or the other he’s already a part of the household and little doubt he’s on our listing,” Binotto mentioned. “Gabriel is doing very properly immediately in F2 — I feel he must be an awesome expertise and positively we’re taking a look at what he’s doing, as we’re taking a look at many others. I don’t suppose that’s the one identify the place we’re focusing our consideration.
“So there are various names on the listing. Nice potential, nice experience, nice expertise. It’s a matter that we now have to guage what’s most vital for us within the quick, medium and long run, and we are going to go for a transparent plan — which immediately I don’t actually have a solution for you.”
Bortoleto’s characteristic race win from final on the grid in Monza has left him simply 10.5 factors off the lead of the F2 championship, however Binotto says he’s nonetheless working alongside his new staff to know whether or not a rookie or an skilled driver could be your best option for subsequent season.
“It’s a few weeks I’m there, so it’s not just for myself — I’m definitely sharing my impressions for the following steps,” he mentioned. “It’s definitely one thing that we have to decide — are we going for expertise or for one thing new? It’s a venture which is seeking to a medium-long-term goal, or perhaps a long-term goal, so what’s the perfect for us from now to the ultimate purpose? Is it having extra short-term expertise after which transferring to one thing totally different?
“We’re definitely listening to all the potential drivers. We’re definitely evaluating the professionals and the cons, what’s the perfect compromise? Ultimately it’s a selection that you simply make on the steadiness of all of the elements.
“We are going to resolve as quickly as potential, little doubt, as a result of we have to arrange the staff for subsequent yr and for the long run. And we have to cease any hypothesis, as a result of it’s not in our pursuits. However to date no choice on what can be greatest. It’s the kind of evaluations we’re doing proper now, and hopefully very quickly we are going to come to a conclusion.”
