Red Bull Racing has announced the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, the team’s sporting director, following the announcement of the departure of Adrian Newey, the team’s technical director. Wheatley, who has been instrumental in the team’s many championships, is expected to sign up for Audi’s new adventure in Formula 1 as Team Principal from 2026.
Wheatley is a central figure at Red Bull and has worked with the team for more than 18 years. His tenure saw him rise from team manager to sporting director, helping the team win six world constructors’ titles and seven world drivers’ titles.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner praised Wheatley’s contributions and said, quoted by Planet F1:
“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, who is over 18 years old. His contribution to six constructors’ world titles and seven drivers’ world titles, as team principal and later as sporting director, will remain forever. Never a scoreboard in the history of our team.
“Jonathan will remain in his role until the end of the 2024 season, as the team looks to effectively protect our drivers’ and constructors’ world titles. In 2025 an era of on-call leave will be maintained. “
The timing and focus of his departure are set, with Wheatley continuing in his role through the 2024 season, with the aim of bolstering Red Bull’s championship defences ahead of its transitional era in 2025.
Red Bull’s adjustments come at the time of Audi’s competitive entry into Formula 1, which will succeed Sauber to mark its debut in 2026. Audi’s F1 strategy looks sound, with significant signings including Wheatley and Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team principal. , who will take over as Audi’s chief technical officer. The German team has already shown some of its line-up with current Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, who will join Sauber in 2025 on a multi-year contract. However, it remains to be shown who will drive alongside him.
In the midst of the control review, Horner expressed confidence in the team’s resilience and depth and concluded:
“Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wishes him the best in his new role and would like to thank Jonathan. Red Bull Racing has great strength and depth, providing the opportunity to encourage others within and will announce a new team design in the coming weeks.
There have been countless rumours that Red Bull star driver and three-time champion Max Verstappen will leave the team to take a seat at Mercedes in 2025 and this news is likely to fuel those speculations further.
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