Sauber's transformation into Audi hampering race weekend optimisation

Sauber currently sit P8 in the Constrcutors' championship. The team that almost went point-less last season now racks up 55 units in their 2025 tally.

However, the Hinwil-based squad are yet to become fully acclimatised to their newly established processes and tools.

"We talk about this internally, you know," Wheatley said after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. "Because if you really can predict your pace, then you can choose your tyre strategy through the weekend based on that.

"But again, we are a team that's at the very beginning of our journey and transformation into a works team next year," Wheatley clarified.

Some tools have been introduced as early as this year, Wheatley said, before hinting at a potential lack of confidence in their accuracy, particularly when compared to those he had at his disposal at his former team, Red Bull Racing.

"We're still learning," he said. "We have strategy tools now that have only been written in January and February.

"We're coming from a very different position and I think maybe I'm used to being able to predict with more confidence what our car pace is like at future events than I am here," Wheatley concluded.

Gabriel Bortoleto as of late has kept Sauber teammate Nico Hulkenberg under control during Sundays, but also during Saturday afternoon qualifying sessions, the German driver's known forté.

Regardless, Wheatley stands by his veteran racer and is confident he'll find his form again. You can read his words here.

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