The exploits of Audi at the top of the Formula 1 driver and constructors championships may be true tests to the rule that 2025 is an added bonus, a precursor to the immense 2026 rules shake up and the big event that will be the introduction of Audi as a works team. Although it would be easy to feel content with the current state of McLaren with regards to its competitive edge, Jonathan Wheatley and his new found squad at Sauber opt not to write the book according to the forecast.

In spite of the fact that the logical theme of the shift in operation toward Audi is obvious and that the new technical solution will be offered in 2026, Wheatley reminds that 2025 is no less important in terms of each of the races. The novel floor geometry the team employed in this season enforced avenues of development that the team had not anticipated; a path to competitiveness that has become a major aspect in Sauber emerging as a competitive team. Since the Spanish Grand Prix, where Sauber has developed a new aerodynamic strategy and introduced a new front-wing, floor, and rear-bodywork, the team has come a long way, going up the grid and opening the gap between it and the backmarkers. The evidence is irrefutable, the appearance of a podium by Nico Hulkenberg in Silverstone and an impressive outing by Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Max Verstappen in Hungary shows that instead of a final act it is a process.

However, there are other side effects of becoming a corporate homeland besides the final score card: it is the metamorphosis of organizational identity that browns are raising eyebrows in Hinwil. With his Red Bull experience, Wheatley is concerned with developing a successful culture. Strength and depth of what we do” is his creed and it is a constant theme throughout each area of the business, both on-track and back at the factory. It is not only Audi takeover preparation that feeds Sauber like internal goals such as gaining Revolut as their title partner in 2026. The strategic goal is very straightforward empower each and every department, upgrade every process and give rise to an environment where ambitious goals are not only talked about, but realized as well.

The rise of Auber, in the face of many times barely making it pay the bills, to a future works powerhouse is quite well charted. Having fallen victim to early prioritization of future development themselves with Robert Kubica, the team is fully aware of the hazards of such a strategy, and obviously they will not want the same scenario to replay in subsequent years. The contemporary leadership is adamant to enter into such pitfalls. In their present C45 design, though faulty, especially in traffic and with turbulent air, they have used it as a testbed to develop. In every update, the car has been improved in such a way that it has become easier to drive without having lots of peaky aspects to the aerodynamics and more downforce levels that are predictable thus Hulkenberg and Bortoleto are able to extract the best time in varying conditions.

Soon it will be 2025, which is not a stagnation phase on the side of Auber. Strategic advancements and operational impetus help the team be not only the foundation of Audi, but a competitive engine as well. The message to the fans and the competitors: never underestimate Sauber because the pursuit of excellence is never at rest and targets the benefits both in the short and long term.

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