Sauber Motorsport, which will transition to the Audi factory F1 Team in 2026, signaled its intent to hit the ground running with the news on Thursday that Oracle Red Bull Racing Sporting Director and former team manager Jonathan Wheatley has joined the outfit as Team Principal. The 57-year-old Englishman will see out the season with the Milton Keynes-based outfit before a period of gardening leave.
Jonathan Wheatley, future Team Principal of the Audi F1 factory team:
“I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last eighteen years and will leave with many fond memories. However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula One as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I am also glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project.”
Former Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Principal Mattia Binotto, who recently joined Sauber Motorsport as COO and Chief Technical Officer, commented saying:
I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert. 2026, when Audi will join Formula One as a factory team, is not a long time away now, and I’m looking forward to setting up the new racing team for Audi along with Jonathan and leading it to success.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairmain of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport:
“I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula One team. Jonathan has played a major part in many race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula One career so far and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team. With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia, we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula One. I am convinced that, with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi. Their experience and their ability will help us to get a foothold quickly in the tough competitive world of Formula One.”
Sauber recently confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg will return to the team in 2025 on a multi-year contract meaning that he will be one of the German manufacturer’s two drivers in 2026.