Jonathan Wheatley Confirmed as Kick Sauber Team Principal
In a move that seems almost perfectly timed for April Fools’ Day, Kick Sauber has officially confirmed Jonathan Wheatley as their new Team Principal starting April 1, 2025. Don’t worry—this isn’t a prank, though fans might double-check calendars just to be sure!
Wheatley, who’s spent the past 18 years keeping Red Bull Racing’s pit wall in line (and occasionally calming down Christian Horner), will now bring his expertise—and presumably his well-worn headset—to Sauber Motorsport AG. After initially announcing Wheatley’s appointment last August without a specific start date (perhaps testing everyone’s patience), Kick Sauber finally circled April 1st on their calendar.
His first weekend on the job will be at the Japanese Grand Prix—because nothing says “Welcome to your new job!” like navigating the chaos at Suzuka. Wheatley will team up with Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto, creating a management duo that promises strategic brilliance—and hopefully fewer Ferrari-style strategy mishaps.
Both Wheatley and Binotto will report directly to Chairman Gernot Döllner, who likely hopes this new arrangement ensures victories, podium finishes, or at least significantly fewer headaches.
Audi, patiently waiting in the wings for their big F1 takeover in 2026, will be watching closely. They’re likely hoping Wheatley’s experience—six Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ championships—is just the boost they need, or at least enough to prevent another “GP2 engine” fiasco.
Kick Sauber’s press release confidently states that Binotto and Wheatley will be “jointly responsible” for success, ensuring “clearly defined roles and deliverables.” Translation: if things go wrong, it’ll at least be clear whose door to knock on first.
Reflecting on his departure from Red Bull, Wheatley noted his excitement about joining Audi’s upcoming factory team and praised Binotto, his long-time F1 peer. “I am glad to be working together with Mattia,” Wheatley said, presumably hoping their relationship remains better than some of F1’s famous driver pairings.
Kick Sauber is entering 2025 with an entirely new driver line-up featuring Nico Hulkenberg, still chasing his elusive podium, and young Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, who probably hopes his new bosses bring more than just good humor to the garage.
