51. Jonathan Wheatley

In a move that signals a major shift in the Formula 1 landscape, Jonathan Wheatley officially assumed the role of Team Principal at Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber on April 1, 2025. This appointment marks a pivotal step in the team’s transformation into the Audi F1 Factory Team, which is set to debut on the grid in 2026.

Wheatley is no stranger to the F1 paddock. With a career spanning over two decades, he brings a wealth of experience from top-tier teams including Benetton, Renault, and most famously, Red Bull Racing. During his tenure at Red Bull, Wheatley played a crucial role in the team’s dominance, contributing to six Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ Championships—most recently alongside Max Verstappen.

His first race weekend as Team Principal will be at the legendary Suzuka Circuit during the Japanese Grand Prix, where F1 fans will get their first look at Wheatley in his new leadership role. It’s a symbolic starting point: a technical, high-speed track known for testing a team’s coordination and precision skills, which Jonathan Wheatley has honed throughout his career.

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Wheatley joins forces with Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari Team Principal, who now serves as Chief Operating and Technical Officer. Together, they report to Sauber Chairman Gernot Döllner. The duo’s partnership blends Wheatley’s race-day mastery with Binotto’s engineering acumen—an ideal formula for guiding Audi’s ambitious entry into the sport.

Audi’s 2026 arrival comes amid a transformative era in Formula 1, with new power unit regulations and an intensified focus on sustainability and innovation. Wheatley’s appointment reflects not just Audi’s commitment to competitiveness but also its desire to be a true powerhouse from day one.

For fans tracking the evolving dynamics of F1, this leadership change at Sauber is more than a reshuffle—it’s the beginning of a new contender rising. With the countdown to 2026 underway, all eyes will be on how Wheatley steers the team through its final transition year and into Audi’s bold new chapter.