Sauber Transformation Under New Principal Jonathan Wheatley

The arrival of former Red Bull sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, as team principal at Sauber has sparked a wave of optimism among drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. With the transition to become Audi’s works F1 outfit for the 2026 season on the horizon, the duo believes that the change is already bearing fruit.

Progress in the Factory and On-Track Performance

Wheatley joined Sauber last month, partnering COO and CTO Mattia Binotto to steer the team through its transformation. The immediate impact of his leadership is evident, with both drivers praising the positive atmosphere within the factory.

One of the most noticeable changes has been in pitstop efficiency. Under Wheatley’s tenure at Red Bull, the team consistently delivered some of the quickest stops on the F1 grid, and now it’s Sauber’s turn to shine. During the recent Miami Grand Prix, Sauber claimed the fastest stop when servicing Bortoleto’s car in just 2.24 seconds on lap 19.

I believe we are building this, and Jonathan together with Mattia have been doing a very good job,” said Bortoleto. “For sure, the pitstop is now something that can be a clear improvement, being the fastest pitstop last weekend.

A Long-Term Transformation

While fast pitstops are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, Sauber still needs to find pace to improve its qualifying and race results. Bortoleto acknowledges that Wheatley’s influence won’t magically transform Sauber overnight but rather through a gradual process.

Absolutely, I think we are making progress,” said the Brazilian rookie. “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.

Recognizing the challenges ahead, Sauber remains committed to pushing its limits and continuing to make progress under Wheatley’s leadership. Stay tuned for updates on the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix and beyond as we follow Sauber’s journey towards a brighter future in Formula 1.