Jonathan Wheatley: leading Sauber forward into Audi era
F1: Beyond The Grid
karenellenbevan
4.8 • 5.2K Ratings
🗓️ 29 April 2025
⏱️ 54 minutes
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Summary
With Benetton, Renault and Red Bull Racing, Jonathan has won 19 World Championships over the last 34 years. Now, after nearly two decades as Red Bull’s Sporting Director, he’s in a very different role with a very different team. And not just any team, because, in 2026, Sauber will become Audi.
Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Jonathan explains why he’s chosen to make such a big change in his career, how his experience of winning at the very highest level will help Audi achieve their goals and the differences between Sauber and Red Bull.
Jonathan also shares stories of working with Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen - revealing the common trait that makes them such great World Champions.
He talks about the unique connection he made with Ayrton Senna in the pitlane, the ‘uncomfortable’ team debrief with Vettel and Mark Webber after their infamous ‘Multi 21’ incident, what it takes to produce the perfect pit stop and his memories of Schumacher’s first title win at Adelaide in 1994.
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Transcript
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| 0:34.9 | As Sauba's new team principle, Jonathan Wheatley has one of the most exciting and challenging jobs in Formula One. |
| 0:42.2 | Why? Well, after 19 incredibly successful years at Red Bull Racing, latterly as their sporting director, |
| 0:49.0 | it's a different role with a different team in a different country. And in 2026, Sauba will become the first ever |
| 0:57.3 | Audi F1 team. All the way through my childhood, Aldi's presence was there at every single level. |
| 1:03.3 | And I'm talking about it with an excitement because I had the opportunity to further my career |
| 1:07.9 | in the UK. I had options. But nothing came even close to the excitement of being part of the |
| 1:13.3 | LDF1 project. |
| 1:15.3 | In Jonathan, Audi will have a leader who knows exactly what it takes to win races and |
| 1:20.9 | world championships. |
| 1:22.3 | During his time with Michael Schumacher at Benetton, Fernando Alonzo at Renault and both Sebastian Vettel and Max |
| 1:28.1 | Vestappen at Red Bull, he's helped deliver 19 drivers and constructors titles. |
| 1:35.1 | Here on F1 Beyond the Grid with me, Tom Clarkson, Jonathan explains how he will use all |
| 1:41.3 | that experience and success to lead the Audi project and fulfil their |
| 1:46.0 | huge ambitions. He also gives great insight into what makes the likes of Michael and Max so magic. |
| 1:52.5 | He talks about the funny bond he formed with Ayrton Senner in the pit lane, dealing with |
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