Sauber’s Strong Showing Signals Audi’s Potential in F1
Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley asserts that recent strides in performance are validating the team’s potential as it prepares to transition into the Audi Formula 1 works team next season.
Nico Hulkenberg achieved a career milestone by securing his first podium finish at the British Grand Prix, where he clinched third place while fending off Lewis Hamilton. This result highlights Sauber’s upward trajectory post-upgrades introduced in Barcelona, propelling the team to earn points in every subsequent race and establishing it as the fourth highest-scoring team during that period.
Wheatley emphasized the critical role of momentum, stating, "What I take from [Silverstone] is people start believing in us." He acknowledged chief technical officer Mattia Binotto’s contributions and noted, “We’ve got a very long journey towards where we need to be as a team, but it’s a great step in starting on that journey.”
Both Hulkenberg and teammate Gabriel Bortoleto have benefitted from improved car characteristics following the upgrades. Wheatley remarked on the newfound confidence of both drivers, which contrasts sharply with earlier struggles to achieve consistency, particularly in qualifying sessions. "We don’t even talk about it," he stated, reflecting on how performance issues have been mitigated since the updates.
Hulkenberg’s recent success has elevated Sauber to sixth place in the constructors’ championship, now just 18 points shy of fifth-placed Williams. This promising trajectory positions the team for a competitive future as they evolve into the Audi operation.
