Wheatley: Sauber eyes more gains, with no impact on 2026 plans

Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley has dismissed concerns that the squad’s continued push for performance gains in the 2025 Formula 1 season will negatively impact its preparations for 2026.

Wheatley, who joined the Hinwil-based outfit earlier this year, insists the soon-to-be works Audi outfit’s development focus on the current C45 challenger is being handled in parallel with its long-term planning – without either project undermining the other.

The team, which recently enjoyed a strong upswing in form, has introduced back-to-back upgrade packages since the Spanish Grand Prix that have transformed its competitiveness.

Nico Hülkenberg’s recent surge, including three consecutive points finishes and a maiden podium at Silverstone, along with a double points haul at the Red Bull Ring, has propelled Sauber to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship and within striking distance of fifth-placed Williams.

“This championship isn’t over”

Despite growing optimism about Sauber’s position in this season’s standings, Wheatley made it clear the team’s ambitions stretch beyond simply turning up and scoring the odd point.

“I think there’s everything to play for – this championship isn’t over – we haven’t given up on it,” Wheatley told the media at Silverstone, quoted by Motorsport Week.

“We’re not here to mess around and just make up the numbers. We’re ambitious, and we’ve got targets we want to hit.”

Still, with 2026 marking a significant technical overhaul for Formula 1 and the formal arrival on to the scene of Audi, questions have been raised over whether this sustained 2025 development push could come at the expense of long-term planning.

Wheatley, however, was quick to quash that notion.

“We don’t feel at the moment it’s making any impact – well, Mattia tells me it’s not making any impact – on our 2026 car,” he said, referencing CEO Mattia Binotto.

“Mattia and the team back at the factory, there’s an energy about the progressive development of the car and going in the right steps.

“I’m not saying it’s going to keep going until Abu Dhabi, but at the moment, it’s encouraging.”

Driver confidence rebounding with upgrades

Wheatley credits the team’s recent technical progress with unlocking a more consistent and forgiving car, particularly evident since the Barcelona round.

The C45, which had previously been prone to unpredictable handling characteristics, now offers a more stable platform that allows the drivers to extract performance with greater confidence.

“I think we’ve all seen a confidence in both drivers with the car since Barcelona,” Wheatley explained.

“I think that’s it – it was very peaky before. You probably noticed it was difficult for the drivers to consistently improve in qualifying, which was one of our big problems.

“I can remember in Jeddah, even on the brakes into Turn 1, both drivers had problems getting that right. Now, we don’t even talk about it.”

That renewed confidence has translated into results, with both Hülkenberg and team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto able to push deeper into qualifying and race trim, thanks to a broader operating window and more predictable car behavior.

Eyes on P5, feet on the ground

Asked whether Sauber now realistically has fifth place in its sights, Wheatley remained measured.

“I’m going to keep my feet on the ground,” he said. “If you’d have asked me that yesterday, in a dry race, I think it would be a very different situation.

“We’re just going to take it a race at a time. We’re enjoying our race. We put more performance on the car again this weekend. Let’s see what Spa holds for us.”

Read also:

• Sauber’s Wheatley: ‘The monkey is off Hulkenberg’s back’

With momentum clearly on their side and the Audi project quietly taking shape in the background, Sauber appears to be balancing its short-term competitiveness with long-term ambition—something that has eluded many teams during transitional periods.

For now, the message from Wheatley is clear: the push for points is on, and the future remains firmly in focus.

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