JA on F1 podcast: Meet the man set to lead a top manufacturer’s F1 challenge

This week we have the latest in our series of Formula 1 team principal interviews as we sit down with Sauber boss Jonathan Wheatley.

He has been in F1 since 1991 and contributed to eight world constructors’ championships and 153 grands prix victories in various roles with Benetton, Renault and Red Bull, where he won six of those titles.

He started life as team principal with Sauber in April this year, shortly after the Japanese GP, arriving at work on his first day in a classic Audi Quattro. Since May, the team has seen a significant uptick in form.

From 2026 the team will be rebadged as Audi, with a bespoke engine and, along with chief technical officer Mattia Binotto, Wheatley will carry the hopes of one of the world’s leading manufacturers in their first foray into F1.

What skills has he had to learn? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having such a long drawn-out transition from Sauber to Audi? And how high does he feel Gabriel Bortoleto’s ceiling is as a driver?

Joining James Allen in the studio to discuss the interview are Autosport F1 writers Ronald Vording and Jake Boxall-Legge.

Send your comments or questions to: @jamesallenonf1 on X or jamesallenonf1@autosport.com.