Audi announce the departure of Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley with immediate effect
F1 NewsFriday, 20 March 2026 at 15:57
Audi Revolut F1 Team has confirmed a sudden leadership change, with Jonathan Wheatley departing the organisation with immediate effect for personal reasons, as Mattia Binotto steps in to take over full Team Principal duties.
The move comes as Audi continues its push towards the front of the Formula 1 grid, with the project entering a critical phase following its transition into a full works outfit.
Audi confirmed Wheatley’s exit in a brief statement, thanking him for his contribution: “The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.”
No further details were provided regarding the circumstances of his departure.
Binotto, who has led the Audi F1 project since 2024, will now assume additional responsibilities as Team Principal while continuing to oversee the broader programme.
Since joining Audi, Binotto has been central to the transformation of the team, guiding its evolution into a manufacturer operation producing both chassis and power unit ahead of its full Formula 1 entry.
The restructuring effectively consolidates leadership under Binotto at a time when Audi is scaling operations and refining its competitive structure.
Audi indicated that further adjustments to its senior management structure are expected, with the final organisational framework yet to be defined.
“The team’s future structure will be fully defined at a later stage,” the statement noted, underlining that the current changes form part of a broader adaptation to Formula 1’s evolving landscape.
Backed by the continued commitment of AUDI AG, the project remains focused on its long term objective of fighting for championships by 2030.
The leadership shift places added responsibility on Binotto as Audi navigates a pivotal period in its development, with performance gains now expected to follow its structural reset.
This announcement comes soon after reports claimed that Wheatley will be headed to Aston Martin to replace Adrian Newey as Team Principal.
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