Written by Caitlyn Gordon, Edited by Charlotte Mui
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber have announced that new team principal Jonathan Wheatley will begin his tenure on April 1st, 2025.
After an 18 year stint with Red Bull Racing, Wheatley announced a new chapter of his career in August of 2024, taking the step up as team principal for Kick Sauber. This departure was one of several high-profile exits from the Milton-Keynes based outfit. In May, Adrian Newey declared that he would be leaving to become Managing Technical Partner for Aston Martin, while head of strategy Will Courtenay also departed for rival team McLaren.
A new era
Entering its final season under the current name, Kick Sauber will transition into Audi from 2026 onwards. Wheatley will work closely with the chief operating and technical officer, Mattia Binnotto. In a press release published by Kick Sauber, both Wheatley and Binnotto will be “jointly responsible for the success of the racing team.”
Until now, an official date for the Briton’s arrival has been kept quiet, with Binnotto serving as interim team principal. On Wednesday, March 12th, Sauber confirmed that Wheatley will assume his position on April 1st, just ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Speaking last year after the announcement, Wheatley expressed his excitement about joining the team and taking on the ‘challenge’:
“I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories.
“However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge.
“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.”
Alongside their structural overhaul, the team will also debut an all new line-up for the upcoming season. F1 veteran Nico Hulkenberg will take the wheel of the C44, having left Haas after two seasons. He will serve as a mentor to reigning F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto in the other seat.
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