Sauber’s Jonathan Wheatley is confident that the newest crop of Formula 1 team principals will act with the sport’s long-term health in mind, even while defending their respective teams’ agendas. Wheatley, who joined Sauber in April after a lengthy spell as Red Bull’s racing director, pointed to the shared experience and mutual respect in the new leadership group as a key strength.
Familiar Faces Step Into Top Roles
The latest reshuffle has brought some familiar names into prominent positions. Alan Permane has been appointed Racing Bulls’ team principal, while Steve Nielsen will take over as Alpine’s managing director on September 1. Wheatley marked Permane’s promotion by sharing a nostalgic Instagram photo of them celebrating Michael Schumacher’s 1994 world title win in Adelaide.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Wheatley said: “Alan is an established professional who knows what he’s doing, years and years of trackside experience, still with a love and a passion for Formula 1 that we all talk about, shares many of the same values I do. So, I think it’s a really good move for them, and I’m very, very pleased for him, and very pleased for Laurent Mekies [at Red Bull]. I’m looking forward to working with Steve Nielsen again as well.”
He continued: “We’ve known each other a long time and it’s just nice to have this group of people around you that you trust absolutely and you’ve been on this journey with, because you share so much experience.”
Shared Values to Guide Key Decisions
Wheatley emphasised that respect and professionalism will allow these leaders to separate personal ties from competitive duties. “We know how to separate our personal relationships from our professional relationships. In fact, I would say 99 percent in the best interest of the sport in the sporting group, and I’m absolutely certain that at team principal level we will have the same philosophies, which is overarchingly, to do the best thing for Formula 1.”
Mekies and Brown Aim to Rebuild Red Bull–McLaren Relationship
Laurent Mekies, who replaced Christian Horner as Red Bull’s CEO and team principal after the British Grand Prix, recently met with McLaren’s Zak Brown in Hungary. The meeting was intended to ease tensions after years of on- and off-track rivalry, particularly during their fierce 2024 title battle.
Mekies explained: “Competition on track is one thing. Having discussions together to define a position on the future of the sport, on key strategic decisions that we need to make as a sport for the future, is something that is normal to do between competitor.”
He noted that the current group of team principals — including Toto Wolff, Fred Vasseur, Mattia Binotto, and Andrea Stella — understand the importance of constructive dialogue. “The sport is at a level right now where it deserves that a group tries to tune down their short-term and mid-term interests to discuss with FIA and with F1 on how to drive it forward, and that’s what we try to do.”
Stay tuned for all the latest Sports News, follow Todaysmatchprediction on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
