P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mattia Binotto has wielded the F1 axe at Stake for 2025 with both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu being dropped.
Sauber Motorsport chief Mattia Binotto has decided to replace Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu for the 2025 F1 season, signing F2 title contender Gabriel Bortoleto to partner Nico Hulkenberg instead. Bottas and Zhou will not be part of the full-time grid next season due to no other open F1 seats available. Binotto confirmed that Bottas was considered for retention, but the demand for a two-year contract was a stumbling block. Expressing gratitude to Bottas for his professionalism and dedication, Binotto stated that the decision to part ways was mutual. Binotto believes that the last three years with Bottas and Zhou have contributed significantly to the team’s growth on and off the track.
