From sporting director to team principal
After Adrian Newey’s departure, Another big name has decided to leave Red Bull and move to another team: sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, in the team since 2006. Rumours of his possible departure had already emerged at the beginning of the year, later denied by the team.
Wheatley will move to Audi, taking advantage of the natural expiry of his contract, where he will take on the role of team principal from 2026. Christian Horner has made his farewell official: “It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, spanning over 18 years. His contribution to six constructors’ world titles and seven drivers’ world championships will forever be a mark on our team’s history. Jonathan will continue in his position until the end of the 2024 season, and will help the team successfully defend both the drivers’ and constructors’ world titles. He will then undertake a period of gardening leave. Red Bull Racing has tremendous strength and depth, and this provides us with the opportunity to develop the other members of the team. We will be announcing a new team structure in the coming weeks.“.
Who is Jonathan Wheatley?
56 years old, British, Wheatley began his career in Formula 1 as chief mechanic at Benetton and Renault, before moving to Red Bull as team manager and then sporting director.
His name had emerged as a possible Red Bull team principal at the start of the championship, when the ‘Horner case’ came to light. In Audi Wheatley will find Mattia Binottorecently appointed technical and operational manager of the team.
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