Jonathan Wheatley Leaves Red Bull For Audi F1 Team Principal Role

Red Bull has announced that Jonathan Wheatley, their sporting director since 2006, will leave to become Audi's Formula One team principal. Wheatley has been instrumental in Red Bull's success, contributing to six Constructors' and seven Drivers' championships. He will take a 'gardening leave' in 2025 before joining Audi when they take over Sauber in 2026.

Wheatley will join forces with Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team boss, who was recently named Audi's chief operating and technical officer. Binotto replaces Andrea Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann in these roles. The Swiss team, which Audi will take over, has yet to score a point this season.

Christian Horner, Red Bull's Team Principal and CEO, praised Wheatley's contributions: "It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years. His contribution to six World Constructors Titles and seven World Drivers Championship, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director will forever be a marker in our Team history."

This departure marks the second significant loss for Red Bull in recent months following Adrian Newey's exit three months ago. Despite these changes, Red Bull remains confident in their team's strength and depth. They plan to announce a new team structure soon.

Wheatley became widely known for his radio communications with race director Michael Masi during the controversial 2021 season. This season concluded with Max Verstappen winning his first world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Future Announcements

A statement from Red Bull expressed gratitude towards Wheatley: "Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wish him all the best in his new role and would like to place our thanks to Jonathan." The team also mentioned that they would reveal their new structure in the coming weeks.

The transition period for Wheatley includes a 'gardening leave' throughout 2025 before he officially joins Audi in 2026. This move signifies a major shift within both teams as they prepare for future challenges.

Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) August 1, 2024

The announcement of Wheatley's departure comes at a crucial time for both teams as they strategize for upcoming seasons. With Binotto and Wheatley at the helm, Audi aims to make significant strides in Formula One.

The collaboration between Wheatley and Binotto is expected to bring valuable experience and leadership to Audi's Formula One project. Their combined expertise could prove pivotal as Audi integrates into the sport.

Red Bull continues to focus on maintaining its competitive edge despite these high-profile departures. The upcoming announcement of their new team structure will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.

This change reflects the dynamic nature of Formula One teams as they adapt to new opportunities and challenges. Both Red Bull and Audi are poised for exciting developments in the near future.