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Max Verstappen is on the cusp of the greatest comeback in the history of Formula 1 title fights, and former Red Bull man turned Sauber team principal, Jonathan Wheatley, believes the Dutchman has the advantage.
Jonathan Wheatley has served stints at a couple of world championship-winning constructors in F1, but Red Bull marked the longest collaboration of the 58-year-old’s engineering career in the sport.
He was present for all four of Sebastian Vettel’s titles, as well as all but one of Max Verstappen’s. Wheatley departed from Red Bull midway through the 2024 season, opting to carve a new path for himself as the team principal of Sauber.
The Brit has had to watch from afar as Verstappen reemerged as a championship candidate following the resumption of racing after the summer break, and he is very optimistic of the Dutchman’s chances to steal the title away from Lando Norris this weekend.
The title contenders on what it would mean…
Jonathan Wheatley details how Red Bull and Max Verstappen are feeling ‘relaxed’ ahead of the F1 season finale
After the conclusion of FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wheatley was collared by Sky Sports F1 for his verdict on the hottest topic of the weekend: the championship showdown.
Asked for his thoughts on how he would ‘rally the troops’ at McLaren in light of their disastrous weekend in Lusail, the Sauber team principal replied (05/12 10:43), “First of all, what a fantastic story for Formula 1 to come into a championship fight at the last race with three drivers in play for it.
“Part of me is wishing I was a part of the action again, because that’s what brings out the best in you. That’s what brings out the best in everyone.
“These teams are occupying a stratosphere of professionalism that is well and truly above those that we’ve seen for many, many years.
“These guys know what they’re doing. They’re not gonna have any nerves on race day. They’re just gonna deliver.
“And I’m looking forward to seeing the race, and hopefully we’ve got a race of our own to be in.
He was then asked by Martin Brundle whether he would like to see Verstappen be the man to secure the championship upon the conclusion of the Grand Prix, replying, “You’re absolutely right.
“You might leave a team, but I never felt like I was leaving it; I felt like I was drawn to this project. You don’t forget your friends. I had a chat down there with some of the guys I hadn’t seen for a while.
“They’re relaxed, they’re confident, and I love seeing Max when he’s got the momentum, and he’s got the advantage coming into here, as far as I’m concerned.”
Three contenders. One crown. Who takes it?
Jonathan Wheatley would love to sign Max Verstappen for Audi in the future
Wheatley’s future in Formula 1 is a relatively exciting one. Upon his appointment to team principal at Sauber ahead of the current campaign, he has also been tasked with the job of leading Audi into their first full season of racing following their rebrand of the Swiss constructor at the end of the year.
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto are already signed up to race for F1’s latest works team, but Wheatley has made it clear that he wants Verstappen in one of his cars at the earliest opportunity.
A lot has been said about the four-time world champion’s future at Red Bull in recent months. A move away from Milton Keynes looked certain to happen during the F1 outfit’s difficult period at the start of the year.
Verstappen’s Red Bull contract will keep him at the team until 2028, but an exit clause does give him the possibility to make a switch earlier than first anticipated.
However, there’s no doubt that Wheatley’s efforts would be in vain unless he is able to cook up a car that is worthy of a championship challenge.
Verstappen is adamant that he doesn’t want to spend as many years as most drivers would like to, so he expects to be among the front-runners at every given opportunity.
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