Gabriel Bortoleto has credited Jonathan Wheatley for driving steady progress at Sauber since his arrival, highlighting his detail-focused approach and strong collaboration with CEO Mattia Binotto as key to the team’s recent Formula 1 resurgence.
The Swiss outfit has enjoyed a resurgent run of form in recent weeks, amassing a remarkable 35 points over the last four races.
This impressive turnaround has propelled Sauber up the Constructors’ Championship to sixth place, now just 18 points adrift of Williams.
Adding to the momentum, Sauber celebrated a landmark moment at Silverstone as veteran driver Nico Hulkenberg clinched the elusive podium finish he had been chasing throughout his 15-year F1 career.
The emotional result marked not only a personal triumph for the German but also a symbol of the team’s upward trajectory.
A key factor in Sauber’s resurgence has been the arrival of Wheatley, who began his new role on April 1 after an early release from Red Bull gardening leave.
In the months since, he has helped steady the ship and reignite Sauber’s midfield challenge – a shift rookie Bortoleto highlighted ahead of Hulkenberg’s Silverstone breakthrough.
Bortoleto complimented the 58-year-old’s meticulous approach and the synergy he’s built with Binotto, who took over as Sauber Group and Audi CEO last summer.
“Well, I feel like he goes a lot into details with the team,” Bortoleto told media including Motorsport Week.
“He looks after a lot [of] the process we have been doing inside here. He has his way of working that he brings from Red Bull times. A lot of experience in the paddock for many years.
“I believe that his approach with Mattia, both of them working together, is a very good fit because they are able to fit all the parts.
“I feel like they are doing a good job together. We can definitely see progress since Jonathan joined. Mattia has also been doing the work together. So, they have been bringing the team up.”
Bortoleto celebrates first F1 points and growing support from Brazil
The 20-year-old also reflected on the reaction back home after scoring his first points in F1 – a milestone moment in what he sees as just the start of a much bigger journey.
“In Brazil, yes, I think it was very positive,” he expressed. “A lot of people have been cheering for me and wanting my success in F1 and to secure my place here.
“Obviously, we didn’t have the best of starts to the season. We know where we were as a team and [were] really struggling to be fighting for points.
“And then we started bringing some upgrades. Obviously, myself, I have had a huge improvement in my driving. I matured a lot this year already, understanding how to work with the engineers and the team and getting more comfortable.
“And the Brazilians are super happy, but again, I said this before, I’m super happy with scoring points.
“But that’s the beginning of a journey we want to have. But the target is a bigger one than this.”
Bortoleto also became the first driver from his native country to score points in the sport since Felipe Massa back in 2017.
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