Audi hopes the additions of Jonathan Wheatley and Mattia Binotto to its Formula 1 project will help the manufacturer “get a foothold quickly” when it enters the sport in 2026.
Wheatley’s arrival as team principal of the project next year was announced following a Red Bull statement about the sporting director’s departure. He’ll join Binotto at Audi where he will be chief technical officer and chief operations officer of the F1 team. Confirming Wheatley’s signing, Audi AG CEO Gernot Dollner says the focus has been on securing experienced team members who are fully aware of what it takes to be competitive.
“I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as team principal for our future Formula 1 team,” Dollner said. “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.
“With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula 1. I am convinced that with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi. Their experience and their ability will help us to get a foothold quickly in the tough competitive world of Formula 1.”
The Red Bull announcement earlier in the day appeared to catch Audi out, with no statement forthcoming for a number of hours and no comments from Wheatley at the time. As part of the acknowledgement from his new team, Wheatley says the opportunity to step up to a team principal role was too good to turn down.
Mattia Binotto (left) with Jonathan Wheatley in 2022. Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
“I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories,” Wheatley said. “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.”
While the pair have not worked alongside each other before, Binotto says he holds Wheatley in high regard due to his work at Red Bull.
“I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert,” Binotto added. “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.”
