Jonathan Wheatley

'I feel confident that Singapore was a blip and we'll recover in Austin'

21:07, 14 Oct

byOlly Darcy

Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley believes that his team will "recover" from a Singapore "blip" at the United States Grand Prix.

"What we need to do is we need to try to get our car in the right window at the start of the weekend, and just build on that throughout the weekend."

- Jonathan Wheatley on Sauber's chances at the United States Grand Prix

It was a hugely disappointing weekend for the Swiss team, with Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg only able to finish P17 and P20, respectively, at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

However, after what the British team boss described as a wake-up call for his team after the disappointing weekend in Singapore, there is some belief that there will be a bit more success to come in the final six races of the season, starting at the Circuit of The Americas.

"The circuits ahead, they're all tricky in their own way, aren't they?" Wheatley stated.

Jonathan Wheatley at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

"Austin, it's very, very bumpy. You have to know what you're doing there. Mexico presents its own challenges with the altitude. That's what I love about this championship. It's a genuine world championship.

"All these circuits present different challenges. We know what the challenges can be in Qatar as well. What we need to do is we need to try to get our car in the right window at the start of the weekend, and just build on that throughout the weekend.

"Then we'll know whether we're capable of getting more points this year. But I feel very, very confident that, if you like, Singapore is a blip that we'll recover from and that we'll just continue to push forward."

Sauber on upward trend towards 2026

This will be the last year that the Sauber name will be on th grid in F1, becoming Audi for the 2026 season, with Wheatley and Mattia Binotto leading the way for the soon-to-be-German team.

After a disastrous 2024 that saw the Swiss team only score four points throughout the camapaign, there has been a resurgence in 2025, scoring 55 points with six races remaining.

That points tally was aided by a brilliant podium for Nico Hulkenberg, taking P3 at the British Grand Prix, highlighting the improvements that are being made at Sauber as Audi get ready for their return to the pinnacle of motorsport.

Nico Hulkenberg celebratig his maiden at the British Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

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