Kick Sauber confirm Jonathan Wheatley’s start date as Team Principal

Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber has confirmed that Jonathan Wheatley will become the team’s principal ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Feature image credit: Sauber Motorsport

On Wednesday, Sauber confirmed that Wheatley will start in his official Team Principal role on April 1 and will make his race debut leading the team at the Japanese GP, round three of the 2025 Formula 1 calendar.

This announcement follows on from Wheatley’s departure from the Red Bull Racing stable last season, when it was announced he would join Sauber as the Team Principal in 2025.

Sauber also confirmed that the incoming Team Principal will also lead the management team at Sauber Motorsport AG, alongside Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto.

Both Binotto and Wheatley, in their respective positions, will report directly to Gernot Döllner, who will be in his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. 

Jonathan Wheatley set to depart Red Bull Racing at the end of 2024

Together, Wheatley and Binotto will be jointly responsible for the team’s success that utilises a structure to empower both senior staff members. 

Wheatley’s appointment comes ahead of Audi’s arrival to F1 next season, where, in January, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber will become Audi F1 Factory team. 

The incoming team principal is a highly respected member of the F1 paddock and a successful leader in F1. He previously stood as Red Bull Racing’s Sporting Director, where he enjoyed a successful tenure. 

During his time at Red Bull, Wheatley witnessed Red Bull’s delivery of six constructors and seven drivers championships.

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.