F1: Red Bull’s Jonathan Wheatley to Join Audi as New Team Principal

Jonathan Wheatley will leave his role as Red Bull's sporting director at the end of 2024 to become team principal for Audi’s Formula 1 team. He will join Audi, who are set to debut in F1 in 2026, after a break following his departure from Red Bull. Wheatley has been a key figure at Red Bull since 2006, contributing to their two championship wins as team manager and sporting director. His departure follows that of Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, who is also leaving at the end of the year. Meanwhile, Audi is reshuffling its management. CEO Andreas Seidl and Chief Representative Oliver Hoffmann have been let go as Audi prepares for its F1 entry. Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. Binotto’s first task will be finding a second driver to partner with Nico Hulkenberg, especially after Carlos Sainz, Audi’s top target, signed with Williams and turned down offers from Audi and Alpine.

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: '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.

'Jonathan will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, as the Team seek to defend both our World Drivers’ and World Constructors’ Titles successfully. A period of gardening leave will follow in 2025.

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'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. Red Bull Racing have tremendous strength and depth and this provides opportunity to elevate others within the Team. We will announce a new Team structure in the coming weeks.

Wheatley will assume the role of Team Principal at Audi's Hinwil-based Formula 1 team, reporting directly to Mattia Binotto, who has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer. At the moment, the organizational structure for the team is currently undergoing refinement.