There has been a surprising change at the top of the Audi Formula 1 team. Outgoing team principal Jonathan Wheatley is already being considered by a competitor.
20.03.2026, 16:54
20.03.2026, 19:44
SDA
Audi's new Formula 1 works team has to look for a new team principal after just two races of the season. The British driver Jonathan Wheatley will leave the Hinwil-based racing team with immediate effect, the car manufacturer announced. Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi's Formula 1 project, will now also take over the duties of Team Principal. The 56-year-old was also team principal at Ferrari.
Audi announced that the complete future management structure would be determined at a later date. The team will "continuously develop its organizational structures in order to achieve our common goal in the long term," Group CEO Gernot Döllner was quoted as saying.
Wheatley's departure hits Audi in the middle of the team's further development process. The 58-year-old took over the position almost a year ago, when the racing team was still operating under the previous name Sauber. Before that, Wheatley had worked for Red Bull for a long time and celebrated world championship titles with the team in various management positions.
Will Wheatley switch to Aston Martin?
There is speculation that he will move to rival Aston Martin and take over Adrian Newey's duties as team principal. Due to problems with engine partner Honda, neither driver has been able to complete a race for the team this season. Newey, who is revered in Formula 1 as a design genius, will therefore concentrate even more on developing a competitive car.
Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll backed Newey in a statement. Newey is concentrating primarily on the strategic and technical management of the racing team and is delivering outstanding performance in this area. "We are regularly contacted by managers from other teams who want to join Aston Martin. However, in line with our company policy, we do not comment on rumors and speculation," added Stroll.
In any case, it remains to be seen whether Wheatley would be available for Aston Martin immediately or whether Audi would first impose a break for contractual reasons before he is allowed to take up a new job.
