March 23rd 2026

Wheatley leaves his position as Audi team principal

Jonathan Wheatley has left his position as Audi team principal with immediate effect “due to personal reasons,” having been linked with the same role at Aston Martin.

Adrian Newey’s surprise move to become team principal late last year left the door open for a longer-term replacement for former boss Andy Cowell to be appointed, with Newey focusing on technical matters. After a tough start to 2026 for Aston Martin, that process appears to have accelerated, with Wheatley a potential candidate if Aston undergoes a further restructuring.

Audi confirmed that Wheatley will be leaving his position after just a year with the Swiss-based team, and his responsibilities will be taken on by Mattia Binotto.

“As it continues its journey towards the front of the grid, Audi Revolut F1 Team will implement significant changes to its senior management structure,” an Audi statement read. “Due to personal reasons, Jonathan Wheatley will depart the team with immediate effect. The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavors.

“Mattia Binotto, head of Audi F1 Project, will continue leading the team while taking over additional responsibilities as team principal. Since joining at the helm of the project in 2024, Mattia has been in charge of the transformation of the team as Audi prepared for and ultimately entered F1 as a chassis and power unit manufacturer.

"The team's future structure will be fully defined at a later stage, as the organization continues to adapt to the evolving environment of Formula 1. With the unwavering commitment of Audi AG, Audi Revolut F1 Team will continue progressing towards challenging for championships by 2030.”

Wheatley was brought in by Audi to oversee the transition from the Sauber team’s former guise as Stake, running trackside operations after an impressive previous stint as Red Bull sporting director. He worked alongside Newey for much of his tenure there.

Aston Martin has yet to publicly confirm any potential changes, with a spokesperson saying on Thursday, “The team will not be engaging in media speculation about its senior leadership team. Adrian Newey continues to lead the team as team principal and managing technical partner.”

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