Audi F1 has brought in a championship winner to become Team Principal as it prepares to enter Formula 1 competition in 2026.
According to a press release, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley will depart Oracle Red Bull Racing after the 2024 season ends, and he will become the Team Principal at Audi F1. He will close out a tenure with Red Bull that has featured numerous wins and World Championships.
'It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years," said Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner in a statement. "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.
"...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 is another big addition to the Audi F1 Project. He follows Mattia Binotto, who will be the Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber Motorsport AG starting Aug. 1. Binotto was previously the Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari from 2019-22 as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. combined to win six races.
While Audi F1 has landed two key people amid the F1 break, Oracle Red Bull Racing has seen important personnel announce their departure. Wheatley was only the latest example.
Oracle Red Bull Racing announced on May 1 that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey would depart the team in the first quarter of 2025, marking the end of a tenure lasting two decades. His resume with the organization included seven F1 Drivers' Championship titles, six Constructors' Championship titles, and 118 victories.