Jonathan Wheatley to leave Red Bull and become Audi’s new F1 Team Principal

Jonathan Wheatley will leave his role as Red Bull’s Sporting Director to become Team Principal of the Audi F1 Team.

Wheatley has become a significant senior figure during nearly two decades with the organisation and played a key role in winning 13 World Championships.

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“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

“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.”

Red Bull say Wheatley will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, before entering a period of gardening leave in 2025.

The team added: “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.”

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Audi also later confirmed the appointment with Gernot Dollner, CEO of AUDI AG, saying: "I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team.

"Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team."

The news comes just over a week after it was announced Audi CEO Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffman were leaving the project with ex-Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto arriving to head it up.

Binotto’s official title is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer with Audi saying he and Wheatley will together head the new management team at Sauber Motorsport AG. In their new positions, both will report directly to Dollner.

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Wheatley said: “I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories. However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge.

"Also I am glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project."

Binotto said: “I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert. 2026 is not a long time away now, and I’m looking forward to setting up the new racing team for Audi along with Jonathan and leading it to success."

Dollner added: "With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula 1.

"I am convinced that with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi. Their experience and their ability will help us to get a foothold quickly in the tough competitive world of Formula 1."

Wheatley is the second major player to this year announce their departure from Red Bull, with design guru Adrian Newey set to leave after almost 20 years with the team.