Jonathan Wheatley’s start date as the new Kick Sauber Team Principal has officially been confirmed ahead of 2025 F1 season opener.
Wheatley’s appointment which was announced last August now has a finalized start date of April 1, 2025, marking a transformative moment for the Swiss racing team as it prepares for its future as Audi F1 team starting 2026 season.
Jonathan Wheatley’s debut race as the new Kick Sauber Team Principal will take place at the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for April 4-6 at Suzuka. The announcement comes amidst significant changes within the team and the broader Formula 1 landscape.
Wheatley’s F1 career spans over three decades, beginning in the early 1990s with Benetton Formula One. He quickly climbed the ranks to become Chief Mechanic, a position he later held at Renault F1 before joining Red Bull Racing in 2006.
During his tenure at Red Bull, the seasoned British motorsport executive and mechanic served as Sporting Director and played a key role in the team’s dominance, contributing to six Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ World Championships.
His departure from Red Bull marks the end of an era, but it also signals a fresh start for Sauber as it transitions into its Audi-backed future. The leadership structure at Sauber Motorsport AG has been strategically designed to ensure a successful transitional phase.
As the new Kick Sauber Team Principal, Jonathan Wheatley will work alongside Mattia Binotto who serves as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. Both leaders will report directly to Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.
The shared leadership model divides responsibilities clearly: Wheatley will oversee race track operations, driver management, communication, marketing, and sponsorships, while Binotto will focus on factory processes, team development, and vehicle advancements.
Their collaboration is expected to strengthen Sauber’s competitive edge in its final season under its current identity before Audi’s full-scale entry into Formula One.
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Wheatley’s experience and leadership are seen as vital components of this transition. His role as Kick Sauber Team Principal will involve not only steering the team through its final season but also laying the groundwork for Audi F1 debut under new regulatory changes.
“The areas of responsibility are clearly divided,” Binotto told Auto Motor und Sport. “He is responsible for all processes at the race track, for managing the drivers, communication, marketing and sponsors.
“I’m more concerned with what happens in the factory. In other words, team development, vehicle development and processes.“
Binotto was asked who would have the last word on any driver appointments at Sauber/Audi F1, he responded: “We will decide together. We have a similar background and are therefore on the same wavelength.
“In any case, together with Gernot Döllner, the chairman of the Board of Management of Audi F1, who is involved in the project. He is also involved and supports the project wherever he can.”
Jonathan Wheatley expressed his excitement upon his announcement as Kick Sauber Team Principal last year.
“The opportunity to play an active part in Audi F1 entry as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
“Also I am 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.“
The new Kick Sauber Team Principal’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for the team after a challenging 2024 season, finishing 10th in the Constructors’ Championship with only four points. Drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas struggled with performance issues throughout the year, leading to their departure from the team.
For the upcoming 2025 F1 season, Sauber has signed German veteran Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto as its new driver lineup. This change reflects the team’s commitment to revitalizing its competitive standing under Wheatley’s leadership.
