Max Verstappen has officially reaffirmed his Red Bull commitment through the 2026 Formula 1 season, putting to rest speculation about a potential move to Mercedes. This announcement comes amid a significant reshuffle in Red Bull’s team leadership following the British Grand Prix in 2024. Former Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley shared his thoughts on this transition and reflected on the end of Christian Horner‘s impactful era as team principal.
Christian Horner’s 18-month run as team leader concluded abruptly after the British Grand Prix, with Red Bull removing him from his role effective immediately. Laurent Mekies, previously Racing Bulls’ team principal, was promoted to CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing. Alan Permane moved from Racing Bulls’ racing director to the top position there, completing the leadership reshuffle. Wheatley, who had served at Red Bull since 2006 before departing near the end of Horner’s tenure, expressed pride in what Horner accomplished during his time at the team.</p>
Wheatley, now team principal at Sauber (soon to become the Audi works team), spoke about the magnitude of Horner’s achievements and Verstappen’s continued career path during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. He pointed to the 14 championship titles won under the combined leadership of Horner and himself as source of great pride.
“If I look back on it, I had a tremendous 19-year period there,”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Principal
He continued,
“Look at what Christian achieved in his leadership there. It’s extraordinary. Nobody can take anything away from from that. What we achieved as a team was extraordinary. Max’s journey, I’ve loved watching every single second of it. And I’m glad for him that he feels comfortable and engaged moving forwards.”
Wheatley also reflected on the career progress of close colleagues in the reshuffle, highlighting the new opportunities for Alan Permane and Laurent Mekies.
“And, of course, Laurent’s opportunity to CEO and team principal at Red Bull.”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Principal
Leadership Changes at Racing Bulls and Red Bull Racing
Following the departure of Horner, the internal promotions aimed to stabilize and progress both the main Red Bull Racing outfit and the sister team, Racing Bulls. Mekies’ rise to lead Red Bull Racing underscores the team’s trust in experienced leadership drawn from within the organization. Meanwhile, Alan Permane’s new role at Racing Bulls represents a significant step after decades of his involvement in Formula 1, dating back to his early career alongside Wheatley.
Sauber’s Progress Under Wheatley’s Guidance
Since taking charge of Sauber in April 2024, Jonathan Wheatley has overseen a noticeable improvement in performance. What began as a season struggling near the back of the grid has evolved into a consistent point-scoring run, with Nico Hulkenberg earning the team’s first podium of the year at Silverstone. Sauber’s rise to seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship signals a positive trajectory.
When asked if lessons from Red Bull could be applied at Sauber, Wheatley emphasized the importance of immersing oneself in the team culture rather than transplanting processes directly.
“You have to absorb yourself in the team,”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Principal
“You have to listen to what everyone’s got to say. You have to try to work out why decisions have been made, why processes are the way they are. And you can very rarely just move a complete procedure across from one team to another. It just doesn’t work like that. But what you can bring is a philosophy. You can bring a cultural philosophy as well. There’s low-hanging fruit. There’s been some of that to be had.”
He acknowledged Sauber’s relative youth as a team, noting many staff members joined only at the start of the year and the group is still building cohesion.
“And look, we’re on a journey. We’re very much on the early part of that journey, and we have to understand that we’re starting from the humble beginning. I’m excited about it. We’re making steps. We’re gaining momentum. And of course, this business is all about momentum.”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Principal
Implications for Red Bull and Audi’s Future in Formula 1
Max Verstappen’s confirmation of his long-term commitment to Red Bull solidifies the team’s driver lineup in the face of upheaval. The leadership reshuffle aims to maintain Red Bull’s dominant position in Formula 1 while preparing Racing Bulls and Sauber for the upcoming seasons, including Audi’s entry as a works team in 2026.
Wheatley’s leadership at Sauber, evolving into Audi’s platform, shows promise as the team capitalizes on new talent and a fresh philosophy learned from decades at Red Bull. This momentum will be vital for Audi’s success as they establish themselves in the sport with their proprietary engine. With Verstappen committed and a clear strategic focus within Red Bull Racing’s hierarchy, the teams involved appear poised for competitive futures.
