It’s now official: Jonathan Wheatley will join Sauber as Team Principal, ahead of Audi’s arrival.
Kick Sauber has officially confirmed that Jonathan Wheatley will take on the role of Team Principal starting from April 1, 2025. Wheatley, longtime Sporting Director at Red Bull, was already announced in the position last August, but only now has the Swiss team revealed the exact date of his appointment.
His race debut as Team Principal will take place at the Japanese Grand Prix, leading the management of Sauber Motorsport AG alongside Mattia Binotto, who serves as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. Both will report directly to Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.
This appointment comes as Audi prepares to complete the acquisition of Sauber to transform it into a full-fledged works team by 2026, despite recent financial difficulties. Wheatley’s Formula 1 career began in the early 1990s with Benetton, where he climbed the ranks to become Chief Mechanic, continuing in the role even as the team transitioned to Renault. In 2006, he joined Red Bull, contributing to the team’s success with six Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ Championships as Sporting Director.
Wheatley’s words
Kick Sauber’s official statement highlighted that Binotto and Wheatley will be “jointly responsible for the success of the team” within a structure that clearly defines their roles and responsibilities. Wheatley commented: “I am extremely proud to have been part of Red Bull Racing’s journey over the past 18 years and will take many great memories with me. However, the opportunity to play an active role in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as the head of a factory team is a unique and exciting challenge. I’m also happy to be working with Mattia, whom I’ve known for many years and who is the right person for this collaboration.”
Photo: Formula 1