Audi announce team boss Wheatley to leave with immediate effect

Audi have announced that Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley is leaving the organisation with immediate effect, just under a year after his arrival.

Former Red Bull stalwart Wheatley stepped up to F1 team boss duties last April with a switch to Kick Sauber – the team Audi took over for the 2026 season.

Wheatley made a strong start to his tenure, overseeing plenty of points finishes – including a breakthrough maiden podium finish for Nico Hulkenberg at Silverstone – and a move off the foot of the Teams’ Championship standings.

He then spearheaded Sauber’s transition to the works Audi effort over the winter, bringing the German manufacturer to the sport for the first time, and marking the moment with a debut points finish.

However, just two rounds into the campaign, and F1’s all-new era of regulations, it has been confirmed that Wheatley is stepping away from his role and departing Audi due to personal reasons.

Head of Audi F1 project, Mattia Binotto, will take on Wheatley’s responsibilities, with more information on the team's future structure to follow in due course.

"As it continues its journey towards the front of the grid, Audi Revolut F1 Team will implement significant changes to its senior management structure," read a team statement.

"Due to personal reasons, Jonathan Wheatley will depart the team with immediate effect. The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.

"Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project, will continue leading the team while taking over additional responsibilities as Team Principal. 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 team's future structure will be fully defined at a later stage, as the organisation continues to adapt to the evolving environment of Formula 1. With the unwavering commitment of AUDI AG, Audi Revolut F1 Team will continue progressing towards challenging for championships by 2030."

Wheatley’s career in F1 started with Benetton in the early 1990s, where he worked his way up the ranks to become Chief Mechanic and stayed there through the team’s Renault guise.

He joined Red Bull’s new squad in 2006, and went on to enjoy plenty of success – including six Teams’ and seven Drivers’ titles – as Sporting Director before joining Sauber ahead of their Audi transformation.

Aston Martin links

Wheatley's departure comes amid reports linking the former Red Bull Sporting Director with a move to Aston Martin, with design guru Adrian Newey currently occupying the role of Team Principal at the Silverstone-based squad in tandem with his duties as Managing Technical Partner.

Sources have said Aston Martin showed interest in Wheatley recently, with Newey's expanded responsibilities intended to be temporary. However, Aston Martin's owner Lawrence Stroll issued his own statement shortly after Wheatley's Audi exit was confirmed.

“With the current speculation surrounding Adrian Newey’s role in our team, I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight," said Stroll.

“As Executive Chairman and Controlling Shareholder, I would like to reaffirm that Adrian Newey is my partner and an important shareholder. He is AMR’s Managing Technical Partner, and he and I have a true partnership built on a shared vision of success for the company.

“We do things differently here, and while we don't currently adopt the traditional Team Principal role that you see elsewhere - it is by design.

“As the most successful engineer in the history of the sport, Adrian's primary focus is on the strategic and technical leadership where he excels. He is supported by a highly skilled Senior Leadership Team to deliver on all aspects of the business, both at the Campus and trackside.

“We are regularly approached by senior executives of other teams who wish to join Aston Martin Aramco, but in keeping with our policy, we do not comment on rumour and speculation.”