Bottas poised to learn Audi-Sauber fate ’soon’

Audi-owned Sauber is now just days away from finally announcing the identity of Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate for 2025.

Widespread media reports and authoritative sources are all now reporting that McLaren has agreed to release promising rookie Gabriel Bortoleto on a long-term Audi deal.

Roger Benoit, a highly respected Swiss journalist, wrote in Blick newspaper on Sunday that Sauber intends to keep Bortoleto’s deal "secret" at least for a few more days.

Sauber spokesman Alessandro Alunni Bravi, however, told Viaplay just before the Brazilian GP on Sunday that the team is expected to name Hulkenberg’s teammate within days.

"Well, yes, they say that decisions will apparently be made soon," Valtteri Bottas, the Sauber incumbent who is now poised to be dropped, told the same broadcaster after the Brazilian GP.

"In my opinion, that’s a good thing, because it’s already been expected," the 34-year-old Finn added. "We’ve already been waiting for quite a while.

"Whether it’s a yes or a no, hopefully we will find out soon. I also need to know what I’m doing."