Yahoo Sport 
Valtteri Bottas dropped by F1 team as Lewis Hamilton's former Mercedes team-mate loses seat
Valtteri Bottas is set to part ways with Sauber and won't be on the Formula One grid next season, marking an end to his tenure as Lewis Hamilton's former teammate. During their five seasons together at Mercedes, the 35 year old Finn played a reliable second fiddle to Hamilton.
However, with his departure, Sauber has opted for 20 year old Brazilian hotshot Gabriel Bortoleto, currently leading the Formula Two standings, to take his seat.
After being dropped by Sauber, Bottas expressed his thoughts candidly: "A situation like this is never easy for anyone," he admitted. "But after all the good and in-depth discussions we had in the past weeks, we realised that the conditions to grow this project together were not met. ".
READ MORE:Rory McIlroy makes huge Donald Trump and LIV Golf claim after US Presidential win
READ MORE:Filming for new movie brings A-list star and top comedian to Newcastle as big name cast confirmed
Bottas, who boasts 10 F1 race wins, reminisced about his journey with the team: "These past years with the team have been an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments.
"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."
In 2025, Bortoleto will join forces with Nico Hulkenberg, aged 37, creating a fresh pairing at Sauber just before the team's makeover in collaboration with Audi the next year. The incoming driver couldn't hide his excitement about the opportunity: "This is one of the most exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all of sports," Bortoleto said.
"Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honour. Beyond simply being a member, I aim to grow with this ambitious project and reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to me by the team and for the chance to work alongside an experienced driver like Nico. I am confident that together, we will write our own success story."
