McLaren release statement as Stake sign rising F1 star

McLaren has issued a statement following Stake signing F1 junior Gabriel Bortoleto for its vacant seat.

Brazilian Bortoleto had been a member of the McLaren Driver Development programme since October 2023 after winning the F3 drivers’ title, but is to be released from the scheme following to join Stake to partner Nico Hulkenberg.

Both incumbent drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are to leave the team at the end of the season, with neither having any realistic options to remain in F1 long-term.

Bottas has been tipped to return to Mercedes, for whom he drove between 2017-2021, as a third driver, whilst Zhou’s plans are unclear.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella had hinted that he would not stand in Bortoleto’s way of a full-time F1 seat should one be offered, with the team now releasing a statement.

“Gabriel Bortoleto will be released from the McLaren Driver Development programme at the end of the 2024 season to pursue a new opportunity in his career,” it read.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Gabriel over the last year and to have been able to contribute to his success and growth as a driver through the McLaren Driver Development programme. 

“We have a strong driver line-up in Lando and Oscar, and therefore we have always been clear that we would not stand in the way of an opportunity for Gabriel to progress whilst we are not in the position to offer him a seat with McLaren.

“We look forward to continuing to support Gabriel in his campaign for the 2024 FIA Formula 2 title and wish him all the best for his career beyond F2.”

Bortoleto remains in contention for the 2024 F2 drivers’ title, and currently leads the standings by 4.5 points from Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar with rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remaining.