In a move that’s about as surprising as a rainy day at Silverstone, Mattia Binotto has revealed that he’ll be playing the role of Sauber’s interim Team Principal until Jonathan Wheatley can pry himself away from Red Bull’s clutches next summer. It seems that Audi, in their infinite wisdom, decided to poach Wheatley from the Milton Keynes squad, but the Briton is stuck in a contractual quagmire until July.

Sauber, who have been operating without a proper Team Principal since Frederic Vasseur bid adieu in 2022, will now have Binotto at the helm, steering the ship through the choppy waters of the upcoming season. The Swiss-Italian, no stranger to wearing multiple hats during his tenure at Ferrari, has graciously accepted the position, even if it means he won’t be a fixture at every race weekend. As for Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi, well, your guess is as good as mine.

Meanwhile, Binotto, who has been sifting through the inner workings of Sauber like a kid rummaging through a box of Lego, has the unenviable task of deciding who will partner the newly-signed Nico Hulkenberg next season. The German veteran is locked in for the long haul, but the question remains: who will be his wingman?

Valtteri Bottas, the incumbent Finn who’s been with Sauber since 2022, is the odds-on favorite, but he’s holding out for a multi-year deal like a poker player waiting for the perfect hand. However, Binotto has let slip that Sauber reserve driver Theo Pourchaire and McLaren Junior Gabriele Bortoleto, currently second in the Formula 2 standings, are also in the mix.

It’s a classic case of youth versus experience, and Binotto is keeping his cards close to his chest. The decision, he says, should be made soon, lest the rumor mill continues to churn like a well-oiled engine. With a plethora of options on the table, from rising stars to seasoned pros, it’s just a matter of figuring out what’s best for Sauber in the short, medium, and long term. No pressure, Mattia.