Jonathan Wheatley to leave Milton Keynes based Red Bull F1 team
The Red Bull Sporting Director is to become Audi Team Principal, ending nearly two decades with the Milton Keynes-based team
Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Jonathan Wheatley will leave his role as Sporting Director to become Team Principal of the Audi F1 Team. Wheatley, a significant senior figure at Red Bull for nearly two decades, played a key role in securing 13 World Championships.
"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’ Championships, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director, will forever be a marker in our Team history."
Red Bull announced that Wheatley will remain in his current position until the end of the 2024 season, before entering a period of gardening leave in 2025. The team expressed their gratitude, stating, "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 an opportunity to elevate others within the Team. We will announce a new Team structure in the coming weeks."
This announcement follows news of significant changes at Audi, with the departure of CEO Andreas Seidl and executive Oliver Hoffman, and the arrival of former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto to lead the project. Binotto’s official title is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, with Wheatley set to report to him.
Wheatley is the second major figure to announce their departure from Red Bull this year, with design expert Adrian Newey also set to leave after almost 20 years with the team.