Nico Hulkenberg gives his verdict on Jonathan Wheatley becoming Audi’s team principal

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Even though they have not been producing amazing results on the track, Sauber has been working behind the scenes in setting up a competitive team in anticipation of Audi’s takeover.

Audi recently announced the appointment of ex-Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto as head of the project, taking over the reins from Andreas Seidl who left after 19 months in the role of chief executive officer alongside Oliver Hoffmann as chairman of the board at Sauber.

The team’s latest coup came from Red Bull in the form of sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who has been responsible for the team’s success in the pit stops over the last few years.

Wheatley will be joining as team principal of Audi having become the latest Red Bull employee to leave who is part of their inner success circle.

Discussing the appointment with Motorsport Total, 2025 driver Nico Hulkenberg believes he will be a great addition to the team as it harbours ambitions to compete at the sharp end of the grid.

Nico Hulkenberg reacts to Jonathan Wheatley appointment

Hulkenberg joins Sauber having worked with them briefly during the 2013 season, and was one of the main targets Audi had in mind for a drive.

The German driver will be working alongside Wheatley when he joins after his period of gardening leave next year, and offered some words of praise for the Red Bull stalwart.

“I think he is a very capable man, very qualified. He comes from Red Bull and obviously brings a lot of know-how with him,” said Hulkenberg.

“So I think he will be a great addition to the team.”

Hulkenberg also also revealed that he spoke to both Binotto and Wheatley on the phone during the summer break.

Red Bull’s biggest fear over Jonathan Wheatley exit

Having spent the last 18 years at Red Bull, Wheatley has been an important figure within the senior managemnet of the world champions.

Replacing a sporting director is tough as they need to know the ins and outs of the technical and sporting regulations, as they are often the people arguing the case for teams with the FIA stewards if a penalty has been issued.

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Red Bull chiefs fear that Wheatley could end up taking a few of his ‘confidants’ from the team in the wake of his departure, alongside Adrian Newey who is also set to leave his post in February next year.

He will be a valuable member of the Audi project not just because of his experience leading at a top team, but also due to his knowledge within F1’s complicated ruleset.