Audi F1 team names Red Bull’s Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal

Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley has been named as the Team Principal of the future Audi Formula 1 factory team.

Wheatley will join forces with former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto, who was appointed last week as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber Motorsport AG, which will enter Formula 1 under the Audi banner in 2026.

The team has announced that Binotto and Wheatley will serve as the two leaders of its management team.

Earlier this year, the Bavarian automotive manufacturer agreed to takeover the Swiss motorsport engineering company in order to join the global single-seater racing championship in two years’ time.

Wheatley will join the team by July 2025. In his new role, he will be tasked with overseeing Audi’s  on-track racing performance,  as well as operational management of all racing events, and representing the team in all Formula 1 matters.

“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,” Wheatley said.

“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.”

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, added, “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.”

Elsewhere in the Formula 1 paddock, McLaren Racing have extended Andrea Stella as its Team Principal.

Stella, who has held the role since 2022, has penned a multi-year renewal to stay at the helm of the UK-based team.

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