Sauber 'haven't given up on 2025' despite upcoming Audi takeover

Kick Sauber Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley is keen to stress that the team are putting just as much effort into their 2025 campaign as their 2026 goals, when they will be rebranded as Audi.

After looking like the slowest team on the grid in the first few Grands Prix of the current season, Sauber have gone from strength to strength as the races remaining have ticked down.

Notable highlights have been Nico Hulkenberg's unlikely podium at the British Grand Prix, as well as Gabriel Bortoleto's recent good form in the last few race weekends. The Hinwil-based outfit now sit seventh in the Constructors' Championship.

Behind the scenes, preparations are well underway for Audi's takeover of the team. With new regulations coming into place next year and the development of an Audi power unit taking place, one would be excused for thinking that the focus has shifted to 2026 at Sauber's factory.

A Lot to Improve Now for 2026

While technological development of the 2025 car has largely been put to bed, improvements can always be made in terms of the logistics and operations during and between race weekends.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Wheatley said: "We haven't given up on 2025 yet. For us, it's about strength and depth in terms of our operation. So using this momentum that we've gained over the last few months, continuing getting stronger and stronger in terms of our trackside operations, our factory operations.

"And, you know, people talk about continuous improvement, of course, in every single area, we need to just be continually pushing the boundaries. And we need to be adding strength in depth in the organisation.

"We need to be empowering the people, because this is where our shortcut to our ambitious journey is, it's in creating the right culture and creating a working environment where these people are all adding positively to the contribution of the team. So that's very much the goal," stated Wheatley.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Conquest

The Sauber boss also wanted to emphasise the immense growth that Sauber have undergone during their short history, from a small private outfit to a works Audi team.

"In every single area of the business, we can improve. Myself included. Every single day is a learning experience," he continued.

"We're going from a small team that's done an incredible job, frankly, of putting two cars on the grid for the last 30 or so years into a fully fledged works Audi F1 team."

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

"That journey is ambitious, and we're not going to do it without having the people on board and without challenging every system and operation we have and pushing ourselves beyond the normal amount.

"We announced Revolut internally as our [2026] title partner before we issued the press release, and the energy in the room, the energy in the building, was incredible. It's a great place to be at the moment."

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