Kick Sauber drivers expect ‘a lot of good things’ from new team boss Jonathan Wheatley as former Red Bull chief settles in

Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto have given positive initial impressions of Jonathan Wheatley after their new team boss started work at Kick Sauber last week.

Wheatley, who had long served as Red Bull’s Sporting Director, was announced in the role last August, but he did not officially make the move to Sauber until April 1 this year.

It meant the Briton – who will work closely with Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto – almost immediately headed to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, where he appeared in team colours for the first time and got to work trackside.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - APRIL 10: Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber looks — Wheatley has made the switch to Kick Sauber after a lengthy, successful stint at Red Bull

That included conversations with experienced racer Hulkenberg and rookie Bortoleto, who liked what they saw and heard from Wheatley over the course of the weekend.

“He was in Japan, and I spent some time earlier with him this week in the factory,” said Bortoleto. “[He’s a] very nice guy [and he’s] doing a very good job so far.

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“He has been analysing a lot and looking at a lot of things to improve in the team, and I think he can bring a lot of good things for us.”

Hulkenberg echoed those comments as Kick Sauber attempt to make progress after finishing at the bottom of last year’s Teams’ Championship and prepare for Audi’s full-scale takeover in 2026, when new regulations will come into play.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 05: Sixteenth placed qualifier Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Stake F1 Team — Hulkenberg reckons Wheatley will be a “very useful” asset as Sauber try to move up the grid

“It’s been one race weekend; obviously he’s really busy, so many things [to look at], so many impressions that he has to digest,” Hulkenberg commented.

“I think he obviously has to get an impression, a picture of how things are at the team, and slowly he will start working, making changes. Maybe, maybe not, I don’t know.

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“But a man with his expertise and experience and success is just very useful to have for the future and going forward.”

Sauber hold ninth position in the standings after three rounds of the 2025 season, thanks to Hulkenberg’s P7 finish at the Australian Grand Prix, with Alpine the only team yet to score a point so far.