Audi’s F1 2025 Driver Conundrum: Why Valtteri Bottas Is the Clear Choice Amidst Limited Options

Why Audi Should Have a Clear Pick for Their 2025 F1 Driver

As Audi deliberates over their Formula 1 driver selection for the 2025 season, there appears to be one candidate who stands out as a clear choice.

As the F1 2024 season heads into its summer hiatus, three positions on the starting grid remain available.

It appears that Andrea Kimi Antonelli is poised to take over Lewis Hamilton's position at Mercedes, unless Max Verstappen unexpectedly decides to exit Red Bull.

Jack Doohan is considered the leading candidate to take over Esteban Ocon's position at Alpine for the upcoming season, which would result in an available spot at Sauber/Audi.

Audi failed to secure their primary choice as Carlos Sainz chose to sign with Williams, and in a similar vein, Esteban Ocon decided to go with Haas.

This puts the team in an uncertain situation as they determine who will join Nico Hulkenberg as a teammate for the F1 2025 season.

Speculation has been rife about Sauber's racing team considering a complete overhaul of their drivers, with talks suggesting that top executives are contemplating replacing Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

Yet, the arrival of Mattia Binotto as the new manager could potentially alter this situation.

The clear pick

For many, it might not seem like the most thrilling option, but Bottas stands out as the clear pick for Sauber in 2025.

Although he didn't earn any points in the first 14 races, there's a case to be made that 2024 has been Bottas' best season since he moved to the team from Mercedes.

Bottas is ahead of his team member Zhou in qualifying comparisons, leading 13-1, with an average gap ranging from 0.4 to 0.5 seconds between them.

The Finn's superiority in competition against Zhou mirrors the way Max Verstappen outperforms Sergio Perez, just as Alex Albon does when facing Logan Sargeant.

From a statistical viewpoint, Zhou has shown stronger performance in races compared to Bottas, with a 9-5 lead. However, unusual strategy decisions and pit stop actions for both drivers have complicated a fair assessment of their race day performances.

Indeed, Bottas finds himself in the 21st position in the drivers' standings, a peculiar situation given there are only 20 drivers, which doesn't reflect well on him, though it's hardly a result of his own doing.

He aimed to score points in Australia and China, yet inadequate pit stops and mechanical issues knocked him out of the race.

Bottas continues to show speed, forming a fast and dependable duo in the midfield with Hulkenberg.

Considering Sauber is notably the least competitive team in the 2024 F1 lineup, having Bottas and Hulkenberg as their drivers is indeed a privilege beyond their current standing.

Sauber's difficulties in securing agreements with drivers such as Sainz and Ocon have left them with few choices.

Regarding the existing lineup, having Zhou and Kevin Magnussen on board would be quite disappointing, especially for a factory team such as Audi.

The situation surrounding Red Bull is quite intriguing.

If Perez had been let go during the season, it's certain that a comeback to Hinwil might have been a possibility.

Before becoming a part of Red Bull, Perez had earned the nickname 'midfield monarch' due to his performances, and his support from Mexico continued to make him a favorable choice even when he wasn't performing as well as Verstappen.

Sauber might have the option of recruiting Liam Lawson or Daniel Ricciardo for the upcoming season, contingent on the developments surrounding Perez's case.

In terms of sheer performance, neither candidate would surpass Bottas, but their inclusion could breathe fresh energy into the squad, should they desire a change.

The unexpected choice

As initially revealed by Formul1a.uno, F2 standout Gabriel Bortoleto has surfaced as a surprising candidate.

The 19-year-old from Brazil is presently associated with McLaren, having become a member of their driver development program in 2023.

In his debut F2 season, Bortoleto has shone brightly and is currently positioned second in the rankings, trailing behind the Red Bull-supported racer, Isack Hadjar.

Bearman, Doohan, and Antonelli are expected to make their debut on the grid by 2025, presenting Sauber with an ideal chance to inject new talent before the significant rule overhaul scheduled for 2026.

Since Felipe Massa's departure from the Formula 1 lineup in 2017, there hasn't been a Brazilian driver in the competition. Bortoleto stepping in could bridge this gap, appealing to a fanbase eager for a new racing hero from their country.

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