Jonathan Wheatley Takes the Helm as Team Principal at Kick Sauber F1 Team

Jonathan Wheatley is set to take the helm as Team Principal of Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber from April 1st, 2025, as the organization continues its strategic transition in preparation for Audi’s highly anticipated entry into Formula One in 2026. Wheatley, a widely respected and accomplished figure in the sport, will make his debut as Team Principal at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, marking the beginning of a new era for Sauber Motorsport AG.

Wheatley will co-lead the team alongside Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto, forming a leadership duo designed to drive Sauber’s competitive resurgence. Both report directly to Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG, under a management structure that clearly defines their respective responsibilities to ensure operational efficiency and performance growth.

With Wheatley’s appointment, the team takes another significant step towards Audi’s entry into Formula One, with just over nine months remaining before the German automotive giant officially takes control. His experience and leadership will be instrumental in shaping the team’s competitive strategy and operational framework as it prepares for the next chapter in its history.

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Wheatley brings a wealth of experience, having begun his Formula One career with Benetton in the early 1990s, where he rose through the ranks to become chief mechanic. He later spent three years as chief mechanic at Renault before joining the newly established Red Bull Racing in 2006 as Sporting Director. Over nearly two decades at Red Bull, Wheatley played a pivotal role in the team’s rise to dominance, contributing to six Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ World Championships.

As Sauber Motorsport evolves into Audi’s works Formula One team, the combined expertise of Wheatley and Binotto is expected to strengthen the team’s foundation, enhance its competitiveness, and streamline its transition. With a blend of technical acumen and managerial excellence, the duo is tasked with ensuring that Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber enters this new phase with a strong and sustainable vision for success on and off the track.