By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
Formula 1 drivers Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Zhou Guanyu of China will leave Sauber at the end of the season, the F1 team confirmed Wednesday.
Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg will join the squad next season in place of Bottas and Zhou, according to a Sauber statement.
"A situation like this is never easy for anyone but after all the good and in-depth discussions we had in the past weeks, we realized that the conditions to grow this project together were not met," Bottas said.
"These past years with the team have been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I’m grateful for the joint experiences as well as the trust and support I’ve felt every step of the way. Though it’s time to move on, I’ll always carry a piece of this team with me, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us both," he added.
"I will leave the team at the end of the season, but I am fully committed to finishing the season in style. I am grateful to the team for giving me a chance in Formula One: this is not an easy sport for rookies, but the team has allowed me to grow so much over these three years," Zhou said about his departure.
With just a few races left in a 24-round season, Bottas and Zhou, who have been teammates for the past three years, remain scoreless after 21 rounds in 2024.