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

Red Bull has agreed an earlier exit for future Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley, while letting McLaren wait on sporting director Will Courtenay.

Wheatley was announced as Sauber’s future team boss last August, but continued in his long-time role as Red Bull’s sporting director through the 2024 season.

Motorsport.com understands Wheatley, who has worked for Red Bull since 2006, has now gone on gardening leave while running down the final months of his Red Bull contract.

Instead of joining Sauber in July, Red Bull has now agreed to release Wheatley by 1 April, meaning the 57-year-old can join his new team shortly after the start of the 2025 season, and before the third round of the campaign in Japan.

Meanwhile, 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 likely taking on additional tasks until his new hire is in place.

Former Ferrari chef Binotto paid tribute to Alunni Bravi on Wednesday, saying he was “a true team player who came to embody the essence of Sauber throughout the year. Alessandro played a wide range of roles within the team, steering it through difficult and exciting times alike.

“As he moves onto a new venture, the whole company would like to thank him for all his energy and contributions over the years and wish him the best for the future.”

Courtenay to remain on Red Bull pit wall before McLaren switch

Red Bull has also announced that its strategy chief Will Courtenay will remain in his role with the team through the 2025 season, rather 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 as the newly-crowned world champion outfit shores up its racing operations.

But while it was expected to negotiate an earlier release, Red Bull has now revealed it is planning for Courtenay to see out his current contract until the middle of 2026.

It is now understood Courtenay will remain on Red Bull’s pit wall in his role as Head of Strategy for the 2025 season, before entering a gardening leave period following its conclusion.