Written by Meghana Sree, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
As we gear up for the return of thrilling Formula One racing on track, another race has been steadily gaining traction off-track – the race to the final Formula One seat in 2025. The only remaining seat available on the 2025 grid at Sauber has been subject to plenty of rumour and speculation, with rookies and experienced candidates alike thrust into the spotlight.
With Liam Lawson replacing Daniel Ricciardo at VCARB for the remainder of 2024, it’s safe to assume that the Kiwi is also locked in for 2025. That leaves the Sauber seat next to Nico Hülkenberg as the only remaining vacancy still scouting for options.
Although Valtteri Bottas is ever standing as a reliable option, it would be imprudent to dismiss the large pool of rookie talent, each hungrily vying for a chance to fulfil their life-long aspirations.
Several of these possibilities are open to the Hinwil-based team, all with their own enticing merits and some shortcomings too.
On the prospective drivers’ side, although the Sauber outfit is one of the more challenging teams to drive for – given their underwhelming car and performance – any seat in Formula One is still highly coveted.
It will be down to Mattia Binotto, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, and other chief personnel within the team to evaluate their options, which are in plenty.
From dark horses to underdogs, here’s a rundown of drivers in contention for the 2025 Sauber seat.
Franco Colapinto
The Williams rookie has taken the Formula One world by storm, surpassing all expectations and rapidly making a case for himself as one of the frontrunners in the race for the Sauber seat.
Replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season, Colapinto stepped into Formula One with all the ease of a seasoned driver, earning points in only his second Formula One weekend at Baku.
However, with Carlos Sainz occupying his seat at Williams next year, it leaves the Argentinian with just a single shot at Formula One in 2025 – the green KICK Sauber outfit.
Williams Team Principal, James Vowles, has spoken highly of Colapinto and has expressed his earnest support in securing the Sauber seat for him.
Speaking to Reuters just after the Singapore Grand Prix, Vowles cemented his belief that Colapinto deserves a full-time drive next year, and reiterated being open to discussions with Binotto and the team to negotiate a deal for his Argentine youngster.
While the outcome of these talks remains to be seen, Colapinto is in the unique position against his contenders by still having six Formula One Grands Prix left to further bolster his campaign for a 2025 seat.
Théo Pourchaire
Pourchaire looked a strong contender to make the sensible leap to Formula One after his Formula 2 title victory in 2023, but fate had it that he would branch off into IndyCar with McLaren, more so under the pressure of gruelling driver management decisions.
While Pourchaire has been involved with Sauber since 2019, the Frenchman hasn’t been able to establish a consistent footing in single-seater racing, often shunted off to reserve driver duties and other racing series whilst counting down the days to a much-anticipated Formula One debut.
Waiting in the wings must undeniably be frustrating for Pourchaire, and evidently, the 2025 Sauber seat could be his golden ticket.
His strong ties to Sauber will be valuable to the team, even more so as they transition into the works Audi outfit in 2026. Moreover, his vast experience in various support series could give him an edge against his competition.
Pourchaire has revealed in the past that he has come close to signing for the team on multiple occasions.
While one could argue that Pourchaire would have been in that Sauber seat already if the team were confident of his abilities, the reigning Formula 2 champion can’t be counted out of the race just yet. There’s still a chance for the pen to finally be put to paper.
Mick Schumacher
A late contender in the race for a seat at the Hinwil-based team is a driver more familiar with Grand Prix racing than most of the options available to the team. Mick Schumacher’s hat has been tossed into the ring recently, albeit not against expectations.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Binotto claimed that Sauber could afford to be more patient with their choice of a second driver. Mentioning Schumacher as one of the emerging candidates for the seat, he stated: “We are definitely evaluating it.
“I met him and spoke to him, I have known him for some time having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I know his merits and advantages, he is one of the names we have in mind.”
While this certainly indicates that the seat remains wide open for anyone to clinch, it also shows how Schumacher could jump ahead in the queue, if the team believes the German is a more experienced option to build their future with.
Having dipped his toes into endurance racing after a full-time Formula One drive for Haas in 2021 and 2022, Schumacher has considerable track-time in the world of high-pressure racing.
Although he has been a perpetual figure in the Formula One rumour mill in recent years, Binotto publicly acknowledging Schumacher as a possibility gives more credibility to his position than ever before.
An all-German lineup and having the famed Schumacher name back in Formula One might be more likely than we previously thought.
Gabriel Bortoleto
If Gabriel Bortoleto secures the final 2025 seat in Formula One, it will be reminiscent of his astounding Monza 2024 Feature Race charge from last on the grid to P1 – unexpected yet fully deserved.
The rumours for Sauber’s 2025 driver selection has been snowballing for quite some time and has picked up Bortoleto on the way, with good reason.
The 20-year-old from Brazil, a member of the McLaren Driver Development Program, holds an impressive racing record, including winning the 2023 Formula 3 Championship on debut. He has emerged a strong favourite to win the 2024 Formula 2 Championship, leading the standings in his debut season.
Bortoleto’s career has been supported by two-time Formula One Champion Fernando Alonso, a sure-fire sign of the Brazilian’s potential.
If he manages to win the 2024 Formula 2 Championship too, Sauber has an exciting prospect in Bortoleto, whose blistering pace and powerful competitiveness will form a good balance with Hülkenberg’s level-headed experience and raw talent.
With just two rounds of Formula 2 to go, fortune could very well swing Bortoleto’s way, and unlock the all-elusive door to Formula One.
Valtteri Bottas
All through this season, it’s been hinted at a number of times that Bottas is Sauber’s primary choice to complete their driver lineup.
With more than a decade of Grand Prix racing experience to his name, Bottas would be the more steady and tested answer for Sauber’s concerns, especially as they approach a transformative period ahead of their 2026 rebrand.
Although his 2024 efforts have not paid off with points, the Finnish driver is still as motivated as ever to keep his Formula One career alive and kicking.
On multiple occasions, he has remained confident in his solid performances, but the car’s limitations make it difficult to show his current potential. Perhaps it’s something a more competitive car would help bring out.
If Sauber wants to stick with a low-risk recourse, Bottas is their best bet. However, the fact that the Finn still hasn’t been announced yet, while Hülkenberg has, suggests that the team may take a bold call and sign a rookie.
It’s evident that Sauber is weighing all the possibilities meticulously, and although they’re still on the fence for now, it’s only a matter of time before the final piece of the puzzle is revealed.
The entire American continent is going for the new F1 world star >> Colapinto!!!!!! 😁