Sauber Motorsport COO and CTO Mattia Binotto admits it was a troublesome resolution 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 predominant contenders for the emptiness however that the timing felt proper to introduce a younger driver whereas the Stake group evolves into the Audi works outfit.
“I’m getting on very effectively with Valtteri,” Binotto (pictured above, with Bottas) mentioned. “It has been a terrific 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 following one can be a troublesome season as a group, as a journey in direction of the Audi F1 transformation. It’s an extended journey. I believe on the period is the place we primarily mirrored collectively so much, 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 state of affairs, the info and what’s required.
“Greater than that, I wish to underline I believe he has actually been a really robust candidate. I do know he’s very quick. I do know that he has confirmed to be very quick till at this time, very match, he is aware of the group. Definitely he’s very extremely rated right here, and he’s very extremely rated within the paddock.
“So general it has not been a simple one, however typically you should come to a conclusion and decide. And we made it.”
Bottas says each side had been conscious of the place their future plans didn’t match up, because the Finn now seems to be sure to not race in Method 1 in 2025.
“A state of affairs like that is by no means simple for anybody,” Bottas mentioned. “However in any case the nice and in-depth discussions we had previously weeks, we realized that the circumstances to develop this mission collectively weren’t met.
“These previous years with the group have been an unimaginable journey, filled with development, 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 best way. Although it’s time to maneuver on, I’ll at all times carry a chunk of this group with me, and I sit up for 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.”
