Jonathan Wheatley has left his role as team principal at the Audi F1 team with immediate effect. The Swiss-based outfit confirmed the news on Friday, with Mattia Binotto set to take over as team principal alongside his existing duties.
Audi cited personal reasons for Wheatley’s departure and kept their statement brief. “The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavours,” the team said.
Wheatley’s exit comes on the same day that Aston Martin moved to dismiss reports that Adrian Newey was set to step aside as their team principal. Motorsport.com had reported that Newey would stand aside to focus on technical matters, with Wheatley returning to Britain from Audi’s factory in Switzerland to replace him. Aston Martin was quick to shut it down.
“The team will not be engaging in media speculation about its senior leadership team,” Aston Martin said. “Adrian Newey continues to lead the team as Team Principal and Managing Technical Partner.”
A NEW STRUCTURE AT AUDI
Binotto joined as head of the Audi F1 project in 2024 and has been at the centre of the team’s transformation. He oversaw Audi’s entry into Formula One as both a chassis and power unit manufacturer and will now add the team principal title to his role.
“Since joining at the helm of the project in 2024, Mattia has been in charge of the transformation of the team as Audi prepared for and ultimately entered F1 as a chassis and power unit manufacturer,” the statement read.
WHEATLEY’S JOURNEY
Wheatley spent years at Red Bull as sporting director, where he worked closely with Newey during their dominant years in the sport. He joined Audi’s predecessor Sauber in April last year. His stay proved to be a short one.
With Wheatley now a free agent, all eyes will be on Aston Martin. The Silverstone outfit are in serious trouble, yet to score a point this season, with their Honda power unit struggling badly. Fernando Alonso even lost feeling in his hands and feet during the Chinese Grand Prix due to heavy vibrations from the car.
The F1 paddock will not have to wait long to find out what comes next.
