Sauber’s Transformation Begins Under New Leadership
Imola, Italy—Sauber’s newly appointed team principal, Jonathan Wheatley, previously with Red Bull Racing, is already influencing positive changes within the struggling F1 team. Both drivers, Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, reported significant improvements as the team seeks to advance from its current last-place standing in the championship.
Wheatley, who took over just last month, will collaborate with COO and CTO Mattia Binotto as they steer Sauber towards becoming Audi’s official works team for the 2026 season. Despite the imminent rebranding, immediate changes under Wheatley’s leadership are already apparent during race weekends.
“It’s still obviously very early days, but the first effects of that are definitely happening,” said Hulkenberg ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. “Everyone in the factory is happy and listening to him. His wealth of knowledge from one of the most successful teams is valuable.”
The most notable enhancement is in the team’s pit stop performance. Sauber achieved the fastest pit stop in the Miami Grand Prix, servicing Bortoleto’s car in just 2.24 seconds—an achievement that reflects Wheatley’s emphasis on efficiency.
Bortoleto remarked, “For sure the pit stop is a clear improvement. We are making progress that maybe people don’t see yet, but we can see it clearly inside the team.”
However, both drivers emphasize that the road to success will be gradual. Bortoleto noted, “It doesn’t mean that because you have someone new, it’s going to appear in one month. It’s a process; it takes time.” Hulkenberg echoed this sentiment, indicating that the team remains aware of its current capabilities and is committed to ongoing development.
As Sauber continues to make strides in operational efficiency, the focus now shifts toward boosting overall race pace and improving qualifying results—a challenge the team acknowledges as essential for future success.
