New Audi F1 boss stunned by old team Red Bull: 'Never have believed it'

Jonathan Wheatley has conceded to obvious surprise at one of the most startling statistics to have emerged out of the first half of the F1 season.

Since Wheatley's arrival as Sauber team principal at the start of May, after spending 19 years with Red Bull, latterly in the role of sporting director, the outfit currently known as Stake before it morphs into the Audi F1 project, has undergone a renaissance.

From finishing bottom of the constructors' championship last season, the team is riding high in sixth and pushing Williams for fifth, trailing its rivals by 18 points.

The staggering fact, in particular, is that Nico Hulkenberg has scored 31 points in the last four races. Red Bull's second drivers this season, between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, have managed a paltry seven.

Over the last 22 races in total, stretching back to last season's Dutch Grand Prix when Sergio Perez was at the wheel, Red Bull's second drivers have scored just 28 points.

It is this year especially that is the obvious highlight for Wheatley given his change of teams and circumstances.

Asked for his thoughts on the fact Hulkenberg has outscored Red Bull's second driver so comprehensively, speaking in an interview with RacingNews365, Wheatley said: "I would never have believed it possible.

"I know the quality of that operation. I know the talent of the people who are there.

"It's interesting that when you leave one team for another, even a team competing for world championships and coming to a team aspiring to compete for world championships, there are things done better there, and things done better here.

"That's the fascinating thing with this sport. There is so much talent in it."

Wheatley is currently working hand in glove with former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, who is now heading up the Audi F1 project.

With two such experienced titans at the helm, Wheatley added: "Of course, Mattia and I, our job is to try to channel the team, direct it in the right direction, and get it moving in that direction.

"My feeling is the ship's turning, and we're starting to point the right way."