Jonathan Wheatley: Audi 2026 switch ‘most exciting thing in sport, not just F1’

Sauber Formula 1 team principal Jonathan Wheatley has branded the team’s transition to Audi in 2026 as the “most exciting thing in sport”.

The German marque is set to fully take over Sauber next year as a works team. Wheatley, who joined Sauber from Red Bull this year, is keen to carry the momentum from 2025 into 2026, when the new wave of regulations is introduced to the championship.

The team currently sits seventh in the constructors’ standings with 51 points, just one point behind sixth-placed Aston Martin and 19 points behind fifth-placed Williams.

“I think the target, as I’ve been talking about for a while, is continuous improvement,” Wheatley explained to Sky Sports F1 in Zandvoort.

“Operating at a higher level and more efficient level than we are at the moment, making good decisions more regularly and putting in more consistent performances.

“So it’s about that momentum and carrying that momentum into next year is so important. When we open the garage doors next year, we’re going to be Audi. It’s the most important, most exciting thing in sport, I think, at the moment, not just in Formula 1.

“I’m excited about it and, of course, we just want to carry that momentum into next year.”

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Guido De Bortoli

Drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto “have more confidence,” according to Wheatley, who insisted that the morale and culture within the team are in a good place.

“Do you know what? To compete at this level of motorsport against the people that we’re fighting against, these established teams – Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes – you need everything,” he added.

“Everything needs to be going in a positive direction – so the upgrades that the team, Mattia [Binotto] and everyone back in Hinwil, have been putting on the car. The drivers have more confidence. When you have more confidence, you can compete better at more circuits, and there’s a positive spirit in the team, the culture’s good.

“We’re excited. We’re on a great journey, and I think there’s an energy and an excitement in the team.”

Photos from Dutch GP – Saturday