Audi has officially announced that Jonathan Wheatley, current Red Bull sporting director, has signed a deal to become the team principal of their new factory team set to debut in 2026.
The news was revealed by Red Bull on Thursday, catching Audi off-guard initially. It was later confirmed by Audi, stating they had hired Wheatley as part of their ambitious F1 project.
CEO of Audi AG, Gernot Dollner, emphasized the importance of hiring experienced and competitive team members, which led to the decision to bring Wheatley on board.
“I am thrilled that Jonathan Wheatley will be joining our future Formula 1 team as team principal,” Dollner expressed.
“Jonathan has a proven track record of success in Formula 1 and brings extensive experience to our team. He is a valuable addition to our lineup.”
In light of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann’s departure from the Audi project, Mattia Binotto was appointed as the chief operating and technical officer, further solidifying Audi’s F1 plans.
“With the addition of Jonathan and Mattia, we are taking a significant step towards our entrance into Formula 1,” Dollner added.
Wheatley is expected to go on ‘gardening leave’ to safeguard sensitive information before officially joining Audi toward the end of 2025.
Audi hopes Wheatley will be fully integrated into the team by July 2025, while Red Bull expects him to stay with them until the end of 2024.
Wheatley’s main responsibilities at Audi will include focusing on the racing performance of the future F1 team and managing all race events, among other key tasks.
He will report to Binotto, who oversees the strategic direction of the team and serves as the liaison between the chassis and engine locations.
Although the initial press release from Red Bull did not feature Wheatley’s comments, Audi included his remarks expressing his excitement for the future.
©Audi/Sauber
“I am proud to have been part of the Red Bull Racing journey for the past 18 years and am looking forward to the new challenge with Audi in F1,” Wheatley stated.
Binotto also expressed his excitement about working with Wheatley at Audi, highlighting his expertise and commitment to motorsport.
Audi is set to officially join the F1 grid in 2026, currently operating under the Sauber name with drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Nico Hulkenberg has been signed as part of the 2026 lineup.
The departure of Wheatley from Red Bull follows Adrian Newey’s resignation and is seen as a significant loss for the team. Wheatley has been a key figure at Red Bull alongside Christian Horner.
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