Red Bull agrees Wheatley’s Sauber F1 start date, but hangs on to Courtenay

Crimson Bull has agreed an earlier exit for future Sauber staff principal Jonathan Wheatley, whereas letting McLaren wait on sporting director Will Courtenay.

Wheatley was announced as Sauber’s future team boss last August, however continued in his long-time function as Crimson Bull’s sporting director by way of the 2024 season.

Autosport understands Wheatley, who has labored for Crimson Bull since 2006, is now on gardening depart whereas working down the ultimate months of his contract.

As an alternative of becoming a member of Sauber in July, Crimson Bull has agreed to launch Wheatley by 1 April, which means the 57-year-old can be part of his new staff shortly after the beginning of the 2025 season, and earlier than the third spherical of the marketing campaign in Japan.

In the meantime, Sauber already confirmed on Wednesday that its team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi is leaving the Swiss squad in anticipation of Wheatley’s arrival, with CEO Mattia Binotto possible taking up further duties till his new rent is in place.

Former Ferrari chef Binotto paid tribute to Alunni Bravi on Wednesday, saying he was “a real staff participant who got here to embody the essence of Sauber all year long. Alessandro performed a variety of roles throughout the staff, steering it by way of troublesome and thrilling instances alike.

“As he strikes onto a brand new enterprise, the entire firm want to thank him for all his vitality and contributions over time and need him the very best for the long run.”

Courtenay to stay on Crimson Bull pit wall earlier than McLaren swap

Crimson Bull has additionally introduced that its technique chief Courtenay will stay in his function with the staff by way of the 2025 season, relatively than securing an earlier exit to his new employer McLaren.

Courtenay was announced by McLaren in September as its new sporting director, reporting to racing director Randeep Singh because the newly-crowned world champion outfit shores up its racing operations.

However whereas it was anticipated to barter an earlier launch, Crimson Bull has now revealed it’s planning for Courtenay to see out his present contract till the center of 2026.

It’s now understood Courtenay will stay on Crimson Bull’s pit wall in his function as Head of Technique for the 2025 season, earlier than getting into a gardening depart interval following its conclusion.