Fernando Alonso could play surprise role in F1 driver market as Audi....

Fernando Alonso signed a new contract with Aston Martin back in April, but the two-time world champion could still be a factor in the driver market through his company, A14 Management.

The agency is working with a host of young talents on the feeder series ladder, including Gabriel Bortoleto, who heads into the final four rounds of the Formula Two campaign in second place, 36 points behind championship leader and Red Bull prodigy Isack Hadjar.

Bortoleto’s talent is well-known. The Brazilian racer is the reigning Formula Three champion and has taken to the podium four times already in his rookie F2 campaign. Such relentless success caught the attention of McLaren over the winter, and they added him to their young driver programme

However, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri going nowhere, Bortoleto has been forced to look elsewhere for an F1 opportunity. The 19-year-old’s break could come at Sauber, with new chief Mattia Binotto reportedly interested in snapping up the Brazilian starlet ahead of the Audi takeover in 2026.

If he does get the nod, Bortoleto will be well-prepared thanks to his ties with Aston Martin star Alonso. The Sao Paulo-born racer has been clear about the value that the veteran Spaniard adds to his entoura