Big F1 news: Jonathan Wheatley is joining Audi after years with Red Bull. Check out the key highlights below:
- Red Bull confirmed the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, their long-time sporting director.
- Audi announced Wheatley’s role as their new team principal, starting in 2025.
- He will team up with Mattia Binotto to lead Audi’s F1 efforts.
- Wheatley expressed excitement about the opportunity and the future with Audi.
Red Bull dropped a bombshell by confirming Jonathan Wheatley’s exit after 18 years with the team. Wheatley, who played a crucial role in Red Bull’s multiple championships, will leave after the 2024 season.
Audi quickly followed up by announcing Wheatley would join them as team principal in 2025. He will take up the role after a period of gardening leave, starting in July 2025.
Wheatley will work closely with Mattia Binotto, who was previously confirmed as Audi’s chief operations officer and chief technical officer. Together, they will focus on making Audi a competitive force in F1 by 2026.
By July 2025, Wheatley will move into his role, focusing on the team’s performance and operational management of races. He stated, ‘I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey…however, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1…is a uniquely exciting prospect.’
Binotto, who will lead technical development and operational management at Sauber/Audi, said he’s looking forward to working with Wheatley, praising him as an experienced and committed motorsport expert.
Audi’s CEO, Gernot Dollner, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the combination of Wheatley and Binotto brings a high level of competence that will benefit Audi’s entry into F1. Dollner emphasized that their experience would help Audi quickly adapt to the competitive world of Formula 1.
Wheatley’s move to Audi marks a significant shift in the F1 landscape, promising an exciting future for the team.
Source: Planetf1
