Sauber told why they must snub ‘phenomenal’ driver and sign Franco Colapinto

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Sauber have been a backmarker throughout this season, floundering at the back of the Formula 1 field without any significant improvement.

The Swiss team have been struggling over the past couple of seasons after they made a good start to 2022, benefitting from being the only team under the weight limit at the start of the season.

Sauber will change their driver line-up ahead of next season, as Nico Hulkenberg will look to lead the team into the Audi era starting in 2026.

Despite Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu grappling with a very difficult car to drive and there being little signs of improvement, the team have some talented options to partner Hulkenberg.

Franco Colapinto has driven well during his stint at Williams, managing the pressure of stepping up to F1 and learning new circuits.

The Argentinian pulled off some decisive overtakes at the United States Grand Prix on his way to a hard-fought point at the Circuit of The Americas.

Alex Jacques explained when speaking to the F1 Nation podcast that he feels Sauber should sign Colapinto despite the team having other capable options.

Alex Jacques feels Sauber should sign Franco Colapinto despite ‘phenomenal’ Gabriel Bortoleto being available

The Argentinian driver has been impressive since making his debut at the Italian Grand Prix, making minimal errors.

Although Colapinto is losing time to his teammate Alex Albon due to not maximising the controls on Williams’ steering wheel over a race distance.

READ MORE: Franco Colapinto went against Williams on ‘risky’ strategy call that earned him US Grand Prix point

Gabriel Bortoleto has been consistently at the front of the field throughout his junior career and is fighting Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar for the Formula 2 title.

Jacques explained on the F1 Nation podcast that Coalpinto’s raw speed is why Sauber should choose him over Bortoleto for the 2025 season.

He said: “I pick Franco for his speed. I think Gabriel Bortoleto is a phenomenal racing driver. His consistency was superb.

“He trounced the field in Formula 3 last year. He has adapted and been quick and been really good and really strong. Last to first in Monza with the help of a safety car, but still last to first in Monza for a feature race. Outrageous.”

Franco Colapinto would be a safer option for Sauber than Gabriel Bortoleto

Colapinto has looked at home in Formula 1 after not being spectacular in F2 amongst a very competitive field.

The Williams driver was immediately on the pace upon replacing Logan Sargeant in Italy and has looked assured on and off the track, which is a key skill of being an F1 driver.

Bortoleto has much less experience behind the wheel of an F1 car, having not yet made his debut on a race weekend in an FP1 session.

This makes the Brazilian more of an unknown quantity, and Bortoleto’s links to McLaren may complicate any deal with Sauber for 2025.