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F1 boss in ‘least successful career’ admission ahead of 2026 season
F1 boss Jonathan Wheatley has taken 34 years to reach the role of team principal, suggesting some imposter syndrome in the paddock, tracing back to his tenure as Red Bull team manager and sporting director, winning multiple world championships before his 2024 exit.
Having left Red Bull, Wheatley is now leading the Sauber team, now known as Audi heading into 2026, and has been holding his role amid the team’s transition.
With Audi aiming to challenge for championships by the early 2030s, Wheatley acknowledges the pressure on him after following in the footsteps of well-known figures like Ron Dennis and Flavio Briatore as team principals.
Audi has retained the driver lineup of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto from Sauber for the 2026 season, hoping to show progress from the previous year and eventually compete for the championship.
As Audi also enters as a power unit supplier, they may face initial challenges with the new regulations but are utilizing testing opportunities to ensure reliability and competitiveness for their drivers.
