Wheatley’s First Weekend with Sauber: A Solid Start

Wheatley’s First Weekend with Sauber: A Solid Start

Jonathan Wheatley reflects on Sauber’s challenging weekend in Japan, praising the team’s progress despite disappointing race results. A promising debut.

Sauber F1 had a challenging weekend in Japan, with their cars finishing in 16th and 19th positions. However, the C45 wasn’t far behind its rivals. This weekend marked Jonathan Wheatley’s debut as the team’s new principal, and the former Red Bull executive is excited to start this new chapter.

“There are plenty of positives to take away from this race, especially considering it’s my first with the team and in this role. It’s an unforgettable experience, even though, of course, the result is disappointing,” said Wheatley.

“Despite Gabriel’s unfortunate start, he gained pace throughout the race. Along with Nico, both cars kept up with the pack. Nico had another solid race, and despite the challenges of overtaking in Suzuka and staying behind Jack Doohan’s DRS train, he kept pushing until the end.”

This was Wheatley’s first opportunity to work directly with the team on track, and he is pleased with the operational foundation they have built. He’s now looking forward to seeing the same level of performance at the upcoming races.

“I want to commend the team for their excellent work this weekend, especially the encouraging pit stop times. It’s a strong start to this trio of Grands Prix, and I’d like to thank the race team and everyone at the factory for their support and contributions.”

Sauber’s Tough Weekend: Wheatley Focuses on Positives
Sauber’s Tough Weekend: Wheatley Focuses on Positives