Sauber chief Jonathan Wheatley emphasises exciting F1 development for 2026 that ‘everyone should be excited about’

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Sauber have found themselves in sixth place in the constructors’ standings at the midpoint of the 2025 F1 season, ahead of their rebrand to the works Audi team in 2026.

Former Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley assumed the role of team principal for Sauber earlier this season, with Wheatley’s appointment to the team in 2024 seen as a ‘critical’ signing to help take Audi into their F1 era starting from 2026.

A majority share of Sauber was acquired by the German automobile giants in 2022 following a deal reportedly worth around £353m, via Motorsport Magazine, which will see them renaming the team as well as joining the grid as an engine manufacturer.

What Audi will rename the team to is still up for debate, with the possibility of them getting rid of the Stake branding due to the gambling laws in some of the countries that F1 visits prohibiting the advertisement of gambling companies.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future

Jonathan Wheatley believes the future of Sauber is the ‘biggest thing’ in F1 at the moment

The introduction of another engine manufacturer for the grid can’t be understated for the future of F1. It adds an extra competitive element to the sport, which currently features four power unit producers: Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Honda Red Bull Powertrains.

Speaking to Autosport at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Wheatley said, “Audi has always approached things differently by introducing new technology. It’s a thrill to be part of that journey.

“The Audi F1 project is probably the biggest thing in sport at the moment, the greatest good news story in sport. It’s fantastic for Formula 1, and I think everyone should be excited about it.”

As the current Sauber team and operations will be absorbed by Audi, it brings the added pressure of being a full works team who will develop the power unit as well as the, hopefully, optimal chassis to work alongside it.

READ MORE: Who is 2025 Audi/Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley? All you need to know

Sauber’s upgrades have ‘all of a sudden’ upped the confidence of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto

As such, Audi will be expecting results which are a lot better than Sauber’s recent history of being a team that often finds itself in the bottom half of the standings.

The team has recently moved up to sixth place in the standings thanks to Nico Hulkenberg‘s maiden podium in F1 at the British Grand Prix after a poor start to the season, which saw them joint-last with Alpine until the Spanish Grand Prix.

It was Sauber’s first podium since the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix, with Wheatley highlighting the upgrade they brought to Spain as a real turning point for the team in the current season, “From the moment we brought the first upgrade to the car, you could see the confidence in the drivers all of a sudden.

“Under braking, you could see the confidence. They could push the car, they could string together consecutive qualifying laps, and it puts us in a position where we can maximise our advantage.”

The Swiss constructor will be hoping Hulkenberg can extend his run of four consecutive top-ten finishes at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix to keep hold of their current standing in the table, or even attempt to move up it.

If they are able to stay within the top six of the constructors’ championship, Sauber could net an unexpected windfall of £19m come the end of the season.