Jonathan Wheatley to Lead Audi’s F1 Team

Jonathan Wheatley, the 57-year-old Briton will leave his role as Red Bull sporting director to become Audi’s Formula 1 team principal. Wheatley, who has spent 18 years with Red Bull will remain until the end of this season. Red Bull announced the move first which surprised Audi, and Audi confirmed Wheatley’s appointment hours later. Wheatley will take a period of ‘gardening leave’ next year and will join Audi by July 2025 at the latest.

Red Bull and Audi are still negotiating the terms of his move. Audi has taken over the Swiss-based Sauber team and will enter F1 officially with its own car and engine in 2026. This move follows Audi’s recent appointment of former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto as chief operating and technical officer. Audi stated that Binotto and Wheatley would jointly lead the racing team with clearly defined duties.

Binotto will manage the team’s base in Switzerland and the technical development of future racing cars while Wheatley will focus on racing performance and operational management at events. Wheatley expressed pride in his tenure at Red Bull and enthusiasm for joining Audi’s F1 entry. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, praised Wheatley’s contributions to six world constructors’ titles and seven world drivers’ championships.

Red Bull will announce a new team structure later. Wheatley is well-known in F1, notably for his role in the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where his lobbying led to a race restart that allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton and win the championship. He has won seven drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships with Red Bull.

Previously, he worked with Benetton/Renault, contributing to championship wins for Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. Audi’s recruitment of Jonathan Wheatley marks a significant step in their F1 ambitions. Their acquisition of Adrian Newey from Red Bull earlier this season further strengthens their position.