Jonathan Wheatley confirmed as new Team Principal of Sauber
What's the story
Jonathan Wheatley, who served as the Sporting Director at Red Bull Racing from 2018 to 2024, has been confirmed as the new Team Principal of Kick Sauber. The Swiss team had announced last August that Wheatley would be joining them but had not provided a specific start date until now. Meanwhile, Sauber have now announced that his official start date is set for April 1, 2025. Here's more.
Race start
Wheatley's debut to coincide with Japanese Grand Prix
Wheatley's first race with Sauber will be at the Japanese Grand Prix. He will be working alongside Mattia Binotto, who is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer of Sauber Motorsport AG. Meanwhile, both leaders will report directly to Gernot Dollner, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Sauber Motorsport AG.
Future plans
Audi's takeover and Wheatley's role
German car manufacturer Audi are set to take over Sauber's entry and make it their own works operation from the 2026 season onward. Wheatley, who started his career in Formula 1 (F1) with Benetton in the early 1990s and climbed the ranks to become Chief Mechanic, is expected to play a significant role in this transition. He joined Red Bull's new team in 2006 and enjoyed tremendous success as Sporting Director before moving to Sauber.
Wheatley quote
Wheatley's statement on joining Sauber
Upon his announcement as Sauber's team principal last year, Wheatley had expressed pride in his journey with Red Bull over the past 18 years. "I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories, he stated. "However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi's entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, he added.
Team changes
Kick Sauber's new driver line-up for 2025 season
Kick Sauber head into the 2025 season with a brand-new driver lineup. The team has signed German Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto after parting ways with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu at the end of last year. The new drivers will join the team as Wheatley prepares to take the reins in the team.
2024 season
Recap of Sauber's 2024 season
The team endured a disappointing 2024 season. Zhou managed just four points from a single P8 finish, placing 20th in the overall standings, while Bottas finished 11th at best and failed to score any points. Bottas finished 22nd in the Drivers Championship. Ultimately, the team placed 10th in the Constructors' Championship with only four points, struggling with a slow car, early pit stop errors, and technical issues.