Jonathan Wheatley says building a strong team culture matters more than top facilities as Sauber F1 gears up for Audi’s arrival.
Wheatley, the new Team Principal at Sauber F1, believes the real strength of a racing team lies in its people, not just its tools or technology. For him, creating a positive and motivated workplace is non-negotiable.
“I’ve seen it at every stage of my career. Whenever I’ve been part of a team going through change, one thing’s always clear, it’s all about building the right environment for people to thrive,” Wheatley said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.
“You can have the best wind tunnel, the best simulators, and state-of-the-art machinery, but none of that matters if your people aren’t happy. At the end of the day, it’s the people who are the team.”
Wheatley is fully embracing his new leadership role at Sauber. With years of experience at Benetton, Renault, and Red Bull, as a mechanic, chief mechanic, team manager, and sporting director, he’s bringing deep knowledge and a hands-on approach to the Swiss outfit as they prepare for a major transformation under Audi in 2026.
“I can already see ways to support Sauber in the short term,” he said. “It might be about refining processes, adjusting communication flows, or just helping everyone understand their role more clearly.”
Looking back on a career that includes 154 race wins and seven consecutive pit stop titles, Wheatley remains humble. “I played my part, but achievements like that come from a huge collective effort. It’s always about the team.”
At a pivotal moment in his career, Wheatley had to choose between becoming a chief engineer or leading a team. He chose the path that gave him energy, the team environment.
“I get inspired by a team full of energy and creative ideas, by people who know how to focus that energy in the right way. My role is to help them achieve their dreams, guide them through their journey, and build an atmosphere where they can love what they do.”
“There’s nothing else in the world like being part of a Formula 1 team.”
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