Wheatley claims he isn't merely imitating Horner.

      Sauber, owned by Audi, is already "better" than Red Bull in certain areas, according to an impressive statement from Jonathan Wheatley, the former long-time sporting director at Red Bull. He made this claim after accepting the role of the new team principal at Audi amid the turmoil surrounding Christian Horner last year. This season, Sauber is in the midst of a complete transformation as it prepares for its rebranding as the Audi works team starting in 2026.

      However, Mattia Binotto, the overall Audi F1 boss, cautioned recently that the German manufacturer might not have a fully competitive works engine ready for next season. Sauber has spent several years at the bottom of the standings, although Nico Hulkenberg’s fifth place finish in Barcelona provided a glimmer of hope. Wheatley stated, "Our goal is to be fully operational by 2030." He added, "We possess the key ingredient for this—our staff are not only skilled but also highly motivated and passionate about their tasks. That was a surprise to me," he shared with Germany’s Sport Bild.

      "Given the struggles of previous years, it would have been easy for morale to drop, but the team is brimming with enthusiasm. We now need to harness this energy effectively." It's believed that some tension remains between Wheatley and his former boss at Red Bull, Christian Horner, as they now compete in the F1 team principals' meetings. When asked about lessons learned from Horner, Wheatley remarked, "It wasn’t solely Christian—many individuals have shaped my approach. I've encountered both excellent and poor managers. I integrate the lessons from my time as a mechanic, sporting director, and the experiences I’m currently having. I continue to learn every day."

      Wheatley emphasized, "My fundamental rule is to treat everyone as you would wish to be treated. I am aware of the responsibility I carry and aim to set a strong example. Mistakes will happen, but we must not deviate from our path." It's clear that Wheatley brings significant experience from Red Bull on how to build a championship-winning team. When asked about what Audi can learn from Red Bull, he asserted, "It’s essential to establish clear processes. We need to clarify to everyone their roles, responsibilities, and the reporting structure."

      He added, "However, not everything is negative. In fact, many aspects are already functioning better here than I experienced at Red Bull." He gave an example, saying, "The management of traffic during qualifying is one such aspect. Communication with the operations room at the factory during races is also improving. These factors can make a significant difference, and what I’ve observed instills confidence in me."