Red Bull confirm early exit of crucial F1 team member

Jonathan Wheatley is set to assume his team principal duties at the Sauber F1 team earlier than expected after an agreement was reached with Red Bull.

Wheatley stepped down from his long-term role as Red Bull sporting director in 2024, signing a deal to become team principal at Sauber, and for when it becomes Audi in time for the 2026 season. 

Following the standard period of gardening leave, Wheatley was expected to start at Hinwil in the summer of 2025, but this is now set to be brought forward.

A team spokesperson confirmed to RacingNews365 that Wheatley would be joining Sauber on April 1st, 2025.

This means Wheatley will be in post for the first time at the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka across the weekend of April 4-6th. 

The news of Wheatley’s early arrival comes after Sauber had announced the departure of Alessandro Alunni Bravi as team representative.

It is expected that Mattia Binotto will serve as interim team principal across the first two races weekends in Australia and China before the Suzuka weekend.