Formula 1: Jonathan Wheatley Assumes Role as Kick Sauber Team Principal Starting April 1
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Synopsis
Kick Sauber has announced Jonathan Wheatley's appointment as Team Principal, effective April 1, 2025. With a rich history at Red Bull, Wheatley is set to lead the team into a new era under Audi's ownership, collaborating closely with Mattia Binotto. The transition includes a fresh driver lineup for the upcoming season.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan Wheatley will be the new Team Principal of Kick Sauber from April 1, 2025.
- He previously served as Red Bull’s Sporting Director for nearly 20 years.
- Wheatley’s first race in charge will be the Japanese Grand Prix.
- He will work alongside Mattia Binotto under Audi's ownership.
- The team will have a new driver lineup for the 2025 season.
New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) Kick Sauber has officially announced that Jonathan Wheatley will take on the role of Team Principal effective April 1, 2025. The seasoned motorsport expert, who dedicated nearly two decades to Red Bull as their Sporting Director, was appointed to this position last August, but the Swiss team had not revealed a specific start date until now.
With his official term commencing next month, Wheatley will make his debut as Team Principal at the Japanese Grand Prix. He will collaborate closely with Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto as the team prepares for a new chapter under Audi’s ownership starting in the 2026 season. Wheatley’s Formula 1 career began in the early 1990s with Benetton, where he advanced to the position of Chief Mechanic. He remained a significant presence when the team transitioned to Renault before joining Red Bull Racing in 2006.
Throughout his tenure at Red Bull, he was instrumental in achieving six Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ Championships.
As he takes on this new challenge, Wheatley will report directly to Gernot Dollner, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. The newly formed leadership team will have Wheatley and Binotto as “jointly responsible for the success of the racing team,” according to the official team statement.
Reflecting on his exit from Red Bull and his future with Sauber, Wheatley conveyed feelings of gratitude and anticipation: “I am incredibly proud to have been part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will depart with many cherished memories,” he stated.
“Nevertheless, the chance to actively engage in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as the head of a factory team is a uniquely thrilling opportunity, and I am eager to embrace this challenge. I am also pleased to collaborate with Mattia, who I have known for many years and is the ideal partner for this exciting project,” he continued.
Wheatley’s arrival signifies a major milestone for Kick Sauber as they transition into becoming Audi’s official works team. The upcoming 2025 season will also introduce an entirely new driver lineup, featuring German veteran Nico Hulkenberg and up-and-coming Brazilian talent Gabriel Bortoleto, who will replace Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
