Jonathan Wheatley has insisted that he will turn any pressure that comes with acting as Team Principal for the Audi works outfit into “something positive”, with the Kick Sauber squad preparing for the transition in 2026.
Wheatley took up his position at the Hinwil-based outfit back in April, having previously served as Sporting Director at Red Bull, a team he was employed by for 19 years. Prior to that, the Briton started out as a mechanic for Benetton back in 1991.
Since joining Kick Sauber, Wheatley has spoken of feeling “re-energised” by his new role while he has also enjoyed some on-track highlights, most notably Nico Hulkenberg’s long-awaited maiden podium at the British Grand Prix.
As he prepares to lead the team into their next era as Audi in 2026, the new team boss was asked ahead of F1’s summer break if he is anticipating a greater level of responsibility than he has been used to when the German manufacturer arrives into the sport.
“I don’t think so – I think you take these things in your stride,” Wheatley explained to Sky Sports F1. “I feel very comfortable in the role I’m doing at the moment, it’s an amazing opportunity. I’m so excited about the project.
“Just saying Audi Formula 1 project sounds like the most incredible thing to be part of. Pressure is part of the job – it’s been part of my job for the last 30 years. I turn it into something positive.
“It doesn’t really sit with me, I manage to turn it and use it as positive energy and that’s what I’m hoping to do next year.”
When pushed on whether he has taken anything from his time at Red Bull into his new environment, Wheatley detailed how he has approached taking on his current role.
“You have to absorb yourself in the team, you have to immerse yourself in it,” he responded.
“You have to listen to what everyone has got to say, you have to try and work out why decisions have been made, why processes are the way they are, and you can very rarely just move a complete procedure from one team across to another – it just doesn’t work.
“But what you can bring is a philosophy, you can bring a cultural philosophy as well. There’s low-hanging fruit, there’s been some of that to be had.
“It’s a very young team and I think people forget that. A lot of people here only started in January or February so we’re knitting together the team.
“We’re on a journey, we’re very much in the early part of that journey and we have to understand that we’re starting from a humble beginning. I’m excited about it – we’re making steps, we’re gaining momentum, and of course this business is all about momentum.”
Kick Sauber currently sit in seventh place of the Teams’ Championship on 51 points, just one point behind Aston Martin in sixth.
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