Finland's Valtteri Bottas and Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu will leave Sauber at the end of the F1 season.

Bottas and Zhou, China's first F1 driver, had been paired together since 2022 at Sauber, previously known as Alfa Romeo.

"After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually concluded that conditions to continue together could not be met so we agreed that it is time to part ways," Sauber said in a statement on Wednesday.

"We would like to thank both for the contribution they have made to the team in the last three years.

"They have been the embodiment of professionalism, using their experience and enthusiasm to support our growth."

Sauber, which will become an Audi factory outfit in 2026, are bottom of the constructors' standings having failed to score a point with just three rounds left in the season.

"A situation like this is never easy for anyone," said Bottas, who moved to Sauber after a five-year stint with Mercedes.

"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.

"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."

Last month, the 35-year-old had raised the possibility of returning to Mercedes in a reserve role if he was dropped by Sauber. Bottas won 10 grands prix driving for Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton between 2017-21, including the 2019 Australian Grand Prix.

Sauber announced in April that German driver Nico Hulkenberg - currently at Haas - will race for the Swiss-based team next season.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto will partner H?lkenberg next year.

Signing Bortoleto, who leads the Formula 2 standings with two rounds to go, gives Sauber a blend of youth and experience alongside the 37-year-old H?lkenberg.

with AP