Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley to Join Audi as Team Principal
Introduction:
Red Bull’s long-serving sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, will be leaving the Formula One champions at the end of the season to take on the role of Audi team principal starting next year. This move comes as Audi is set to turn Sauber into their factory team from 2026, with Wheatley expected to officially begin his new role by July next year. With 18 years of experience at Red Bull, Wheatley played a key role in the team’s success, contributing to six world constructors’ titles and seven world drivers’ championships. His departure marks a significant change for both Red Bull and Audi, as new leadership structures are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Red Bull’s Response and Team Restructuring
Upon announcing Wheatley’s departure, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and rise to the occasion. Acknowledging Wheatley’s contributions, Horner stated that the departure presents an opportunity to elevate others within the team. Red Bull is expected to reveal a new team structure in the near future as they prepare for the upcoming seasons without Wheatley’s presence.
Leadership Transition at Audi
In a strategic move, former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has joined Audi to lead the Formula One project. With the departure of previous bosses Oliver Hoffmann and Andreas Seidl, Audi is making significant changes to align with their vision for the future. Binotto, who will serve as the chief operating and chief technical officer at Sauber Motorsport, will work alongside Wheatley to jointly lead the team with clearly defined roles. The announcement has been met with optimism from Audi’s CEO Gernot Doellner, who sees it as a crucial step towards establishing Audi’s presence in the competitive world of Formula One.
Roles and Responsibilities
Wheatley’s focus at Audi will revolve around racing performance and operational management of all race events, where he will also represent Audi at the team principal level. On the other hand, Binotto will serve as the bridge between the Hinwil factory and Audi’s engine plant in Germany. Both leaders bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their respective roles, with a shared goal of setting up a strong racing team for Audi and leading it to success in the future.
Changes at Red Bull and Future Plans
Wheatley’s departure follows the announcement of Red Bull’s technical head, Adrian Newey, also leaving in 2025. This shift in leadership comes amidst changes in the team’s partnerships, as Red Bull is set to part ways with Honda at the end of the next season and develop their own engine with support from Ford for the new power unit era in 2026. Despite these changes, Red Bull remains at the top of the championships after 14 races, with Max Verstappen showing strong performance and set to clinch his fourth title.
Conclusion:
As Jonathan Wheatley transitions from Red Bull to Audi, Formula One fans are eager to see how these changes will impact the dynamics within both teams. Wheatley’s legacy at Red Bull, combined with Binotto’s expertise at Audi, sets the stage for an exciting chapter in the world of Formula One. With new leadership structures in place, both teams are poised to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as they strive for success on the track.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!