Max Verstappen, Jonathan Wheatley en Sergio Perez

Does Max Verstappen miss the major impact of this man at Red Bull the most?

08:01, 09 Jul

byTim Kraaij

Jonathan Wheatley has been instantly successful as team principal at Sauber. The former sporting director proves his expertise at both Sauber and Red Bull Racing. Is he the one Max Verstappen misses the most?

Nico Hulkenberg scored his first Formula 1 career podium in Silverstone under the watchful eye of Jonathan Wheatley. The Sauber team principal started his first stint as team principal this season, after years as the sporting director at Red Bull Racing.

The so-called ‘Wheatley effect’ was immediately visible in the first few months. Just like at Red Bull Racing, Wheatley made pit stops a priority at Sauber as well. Where Sauber had been among the worst pit stop teams in previous years, they now rank sixth in the ‘DHL Fastest Pit Stops’ standings, just behind Red Bull Racing.

And that last part is particularly noteworthy. While Red Bull Racing was consistently the best pit stop team on the F1 grid under Wheatley, this year they have significantly fallen off. In the standings, they are third, well behind McLaren and Ferrari. Red Bull also had to concede the fastest pit stop of the season to a direct rival: Ferrari.

Who does Max Verstappen miss at Red Bull Racing?

However, Sauber has not only made progress in pit stops but also the car has significantly improved with the latest updates. That it now yields a tangible result with a podium is the right boost for the team, Wheatley revealed in response to a question from GPblog.

‘’I think, you know, we've talked about how important momentum is in a team, and so really for me what I take from today is people start believing in us. I can say the words, I can say we're gaining momentum, I can say we're putting performance on the tarmac, I can say that Mattia and all the hard work he's been putting in before I came here is coming to light, but it's true. But we've got a very long journey towards where we need to be as a team and it's a great stepping stone on that journey.’’

This is not the first time a former leader at Red Bull Racing has brought about a turnaround at a new team. The biggest example is still Rob Marshall, who as the technical head plays a major role in McLaren's current success. Additionally, there's Adrian Newey, who also ensures that updates finally have the desired effect at Aston Martin.

That these individuals have talent is evident not just in their new teams. At Red Bull Racing, things are going downhill in those areas. The pit stops and the development of the car have stalled at the Austrian racing team. In just one and a half years, Red Bull has been overtaken by several teams in various aspects, making fourth place in the constructors a painful reality now.