Wheatley to begin role as Sauber F1 team principal in April

Wheatley, a widely respected and successful figure in the sport, will make his race debut in the position at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. He will jointly lead Sauber Motorsport AG’s management team alongside Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto.

With just over nine months until Audi officially enters Formula 1, Wheatley’s appointment marks another key step in Sauber’s restructuring. The British motorsport veteran has an extensive career spanning more than three decades in Formula 1, bringing a wealth of experience to the Hinwil-based outfit.

Wheatley’s F1 career began at Benetton Formula 1 in the early 1990s, where he progressed to become chief mechanic. After three years in the same role at Renault F1, he moved to Red Bull Racing in 2006, joining as Sporting Director. During his time with the Milton Keynes team, Red Bull secured six Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ World Championships, establishing itself as a dominant force in the sport.

In their respective roles, both Binotto and Wheatley will report directly to Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. The two will share responsibility for the team’s operations under a dual leadership structure, with clearly defined roles and deliverables.

Wheatley’s appointment follows a series of key moves at Sauber as the team prepares for Audi’s debut as a full-works operation in 2026, with Wheatley and Binotto set to lead the team through this crucial transition period.