Audi has confirmed that Jonathan Wheatley will leave the team with immediate effect, stepping down as team principal amidst speculation of an imminent move to join Aston Martin.
Wheatley joined the Audi project in 2024 from Red Bull, and has overseen a strong start to the new era of Formula 1, with Gabriel Bortoleto scoring points for the manufacturer in its debut outing.
Speculation surrounding an imminent move to replace Adrian Newey, who would transition to a more design-focused role, at Aston Martin arose on Thursday, with both teams dismissing reports as merely "speculation".
Confirming Wheatley's departure, an Audi spokesperson said: "As it continues its journey towards the front of the grid, Audi Revolut F1 Team will implement significant changes to its senior management structure. Due to personal reasons, Jonathan Wheatley will depart the team with immediate effect. The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.
"Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project, will continue leading the team while taking over additional responsibilities as Team Principal. Since joining at the helm of the project in 2024, Mattia has been in charge of the transformation of the team as Audi prepared for and ultimately entered F1 as a chassis and power unit manufacturer.
"The team's future structure will be fully defined at a later stage, as the organisation continues to adapt to the evolving environment of Formula One. With the unwavering commitment of AUDI AG, Audi Revolut F1 Team will continue progressing towards challenging for championships by 2030."
The move now clears the path for Wheatley to join Aston Martin, although it remains unclear how soon he would be able to take up a new position, with it being common for personnel to serve a period of 'gardening leave' before taking up a new post. Given the significant IP at stake in the new rules era, it is likely there will be a period of inaction required by Wheatley's now former employer.
Sam joined Crash.net in February 2026 with extensive experience in motorsport media, having covered numerous championships around the world.
Originally published by Crash.net —
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