F1 News

Audi reveals Team Principal ahead of 2026 Formula One entry

Audi has announced Red Bull Racing’s Sporting Director, Jonathan Wheatley, as the Team Principal of its F1 side set for debut in 2026.

Wheatley’s announcement comes days after Audi revealing former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto as the new team’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer.

Wheatley kicked off his Formula One career with Benetton serving as their Chief Mechanic before joining Red Bull Racing. He’s currently the Austrian team’s Sporting Director and will leave at the end of the ongoing season. 

Speaking about joining Audi, Jonathan Wheatley commented:

I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last eighteen years and will leave with many fond memories. However, 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. 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.

Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO of Sauber Motorsport AG, added:

I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert. 2026 is not a long time away now, and I’m looking forward to setting up the new racing team for Audi along with Jonathan and leading it to success.

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, said:

I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team. 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.

Christian Horner, Team Principal Red Bull Racing, commented:

It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years. His contribution to six World Constructors’ Titles and seven World Drivers’ Championship, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director will forever be a marker in our Team history.

Aditya Chaudhuri

Hailing from the City of Joy, the things that bring me joy are cricket, a good non-tilt CS:GO session, F1 and movies.

Recent Posts

Bayer 04 Leverkusen Sponsors 2024-25

Following are the companies and organisations that serve as sponsors and brand partners to Bundesliga…

58 mins ago

Australia vs Pakistan 2nd ODI: Preview and Predictions

Australia vs Pakistan 2nd ODI: Preview and Predictions The Australian summer kicked off with a…

18 hours ago

Sauber reveal Gabriel Bortoleto as second driver for 2025

Driver lineup completed Moments after revealing that Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will be leaving…

19 hours ago

Sauber to part ways with both drivers at the end of the season

Bottas and Zhou set to leave after horror season Swiss Formula One team, Sauber, have…

24 hours ago

UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Gameweek 4 Review Part-1

Day 1 of UEFA Champions League Gameweek 4 had plenty in store for us. In…

1 day ago

West Indies vs England 3rd ODI: Preview and Predictions

Here's our preview for the third ODI of the 2024 England tour of the West…

2 days ago