Red Bull’s long-serving Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley will depart once the current Formula 1 season ends as he prepares to become Audi’s new Team Principal.
Wheatley has been aligned with Red Bull since 2006 and has played an integral role in the squad’s ascent to seven Drivers’ titles and six Constructors’ Championships.
However, he will vacate his place once the remaining 10 rounds in 2024 are completed and then go on gardening leave prior to managing Audi’s nascent F1 operation.
The German marque will take over the current Sauber-run team to enter the sport as a new manufacturer once revamped technical regulations are introduced in 2026.
Audi announced last week that CEO Andreas Seidl and Chief Representative Oliver Hoffman had left, with ex-Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto coming in to head the venture.
“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said.
“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.”
Wheatley becomes the second big-name departure Red Bull has announced in recent times amid the revelation that design guru Adrian Newey will leave next March.
Red Bull, which has headed into the summer break heading both championships, has published that it will disclose a revamped team structure in the “coming weeks”.
“Jonathan will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, as the Team seek to defend both our World Drivers’ and World Constructors’ Titles successfully.
“A period of gardening leave will follow in 2025.
“Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wish him all the best in his new role and would like to place our thanks to Jonathan.
“Red Bull Racing have tremendous strength and depth and this provides opportunity to elevate others within the Team. We will announce a new Team structure in the coming weeks.”
