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Audi reshuffles F1 leadership as Wheatley exits for Aston Martin

Audi's bold F1 ambitions hit a turning point. With Wheatley's surprise exit, Binotto steps in to steer the team toward its high-stakes racing debut.

The image shows a group of people standing around a race car on a track, with a stadium in the...
The image shows a group of people standing around a race car on a track, with a stadium in the background filled with people sitting in the stands. There are banners with text on them, a fence, grass, trees, buildings, and a clear blue sky. The car appears to be a Formula E car, and the people around it appear to be celebrating a victory, as if they have just won the race.

Audi reshuffles F1 leadership as Wheatley exits for Aston Martin

Audi has announced a major leadership change in its Formula 1 project. Jonathan Wheatley, the team principal overseeing the programme, is stepping down for personal reasons. His departure comes just over a year after he joined to build the team at Audi's Hinwil base.

Wheatley took charge in April 2025, leading Audi's F1 preparations as the team evolved from Sauber. His arrival coincided with key developments, including the July 2025 announcement of Revolut as title sponsor. Under his guidance, the team began shaping its structure and operations.

Now, Wheatley will move to Aston Martin, marking the end of his collaboration with Audi. In his place, Mattia Binotto will assume the role of team principal. Binotto will also continue overseeing the wider F1 project as Audi pushes toward its debut. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner acknowledged Wheatley's work in laying the foundations for the manufacturer's entry into the sport. The transition reflects both personal circumstances and the ongoing evolution of Audi's racing ambitions.

The leadership shift sees Binotto take full control of Audi's F1 operations. Wheatley's exit follows a short but pivotal period in the team's development. Audi's preparations for its Formula 1 debut will now continue under new direction.

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