Are you surprised to see Gabriel Bortoleto signed by Sauber?

[Matthew]

I don't think there were a lot of people who predicted this. What was your reaction when you first know about this news?

[Nitrodaze]

I don't think there were a lot of people who predicted this. What was your reaction when you first know about this news?

I think Boteleto should send a Xmas present to Oliver Bearman for this. Oli and Liam have stunned the f1 paddock in ways that have opened up the way for Borteleto and Jack Doohan. These young drivers are already at F1 level so early, such that teams are now willing to take a gamble on them.

Am l surprised, definitely not.

[airshifter]

They already have experience with Hulkenberg, so it's no real shock that they give one of the young guns a shot at things. Most likely they demand a lot less money in hopes of getting their feet in the door, and most of them have plenty of potential.

Colapinto sure is pushing some budget numbers around with his accidents, but that is the risk for teams with new drivers in the sport. At this point his only chance of a seat is with VCARB, and it looks like Lawson is more likely to get that seat.

But at a minimum we will have Bearman, Bortoleto, Doohan, and Antonelli as new drivers for 2025. That's 20% of the race grid, and I'm sure at least some of them will mix it up with the big names of the sport through the season. Someone still has to take the VCARB seat as well, and if RB wasn't crazy someone new would probably be in Sergio's seat as well.