Audi has officially announced that Jonathan Wheatley will be joining as its Team Principal shortly after Red Bull made the news public.
Wheatley’s Formula 1 career began in the early 1990s at Benetton, where he eventually became chief mechanic. He then transitioned to Red Bull Racing, where he has excelled as Sporting Director. During his time at Red Bull, Wheatley played a crucial role in securing all six constructors’ and seven drivers’ titles.
The new management team at Sauber Motorsport AG will be led by Mattia Binotto and Wheatley. Both will directly report to Gernot Dollner, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. Their responsibilities have been clearly defined, with Binotto taking charge as COO and CTO overseeing the operations and technical development.
Wheatley is expected to assume the role of Audi’s Team Principal and management spokesperson by July 2025 at the latest. His focus will be on enhancing the racing performance of the F1 factory team, managing race events, and representing Audi at the highest level in Formula 1 matters.
The decision to implement a dual management team is part of the restructuring process following Audi’s full takeover of the Sauber Group. Dollner expressed confidence in the capabilities of Wheatley and Binotto, emphasizing their combined expertise will help Audi establish a strong presence in Formula 1.
Wheatley expressed his pride in being part of Red Bull Racing for almost two decades and his excitement for the new challenge with Audi. Binotto praised Wheatley’s experience and commitment, highlighting the upcoming collaboration to lead Audi’s racing team to success.
