Sao Paulo - Formula One team Sauber are dropping Germany's Adrian Sutil and signing the Brazilian Felipe Nasr for the 2015 season.
Nasr will team up with Sweden's Marcus Ericsson, whose move from Caterham was announced earlier in the week.
The new partnership announced late Wednesday means there is also no place at Sauber next year for the Mexican Esteban Gutierrez. Neither Sutil nor Gutierrez have been able to win a point in 17 races so far this season.
The deal with 22-year-old Nasr also includes a partnership with Banco do Brasil for the cash-strapped Swiss F1 team.
Banco do Brasil has been a sponsor for several years of Nasr, who is currently the test and reserve driver for the Williams team and is lying second in the GP2 series.
Tha Sao Paulo-born driver also won the Formula BMW Europe title in 2009 and the British Formula 3 championship two years later.
FULLY DESERVING YOUNGSTER
Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said: “We have been following Felipe's career path for some time now, and he fully deserves his position in Formula One having had a very successful career in junior categories.
“We are happy that he will be driving for our team next year. This means that Brazil will have one more young and talented driver in the sport.
“Banco do Brasil has been an important partner for Felipe so far, and we are delighted that such a renowned company is contuing to support him during this important step. We look forward to this partnership.”
Sauber's move could spell the end of Sutil's Formula One career. The 31-year-old had said at the US Grand Prix last weekend it would be difficult to find a new team.
Hayton Rocha, Banco do Brasil's marketing and communications director, said the partnership with Sauber enabled a new Brazilian driver to enter F1, which has a faithful following in the country.
“Banco do Brasil believes in the potential of Felipe Nasr, considered by the specialists to be the most promising Brazilian in motor racing since Ayrton Senna,” he said.
Nasr said: “Today the dream has come true. Sauber was responsible for the arrival in F1 of great names such as Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen, Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel. I am proud now to also be part of this racing family.”
Sapa-dpa