Jonathan Wheatley quits Audi F1 with immediate effect; linked to Newey reunion at Aston Martin

Audi Revolut F1 Team announced on Friday the departure of Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley with immediate effect, a move that comes just two races into the German manufacturer’s debut season as a full works entry.

The surprising exit of the former Red Bull stalwart has triggered immediate speculation regarding a high-profile move to Aston Martin. While Audi’s official statement cited "personal reasons" for the separation, industry sources indicate Wheatley was eager to return to a United Kingdom-based role after spending the last year at Sauber’s headquarters in Switzerland.

Mattia Binotto, the current Head of Audi F1 Project, will assume Wheatley’s responsibilities as Team Principal in addition to his existing duties. The leadership shift marks the latest in a series of management upheavals for the Audi project, which has struggled to find stability since its inception, having already seen the departures of key figures Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann.

Potential Reunion at Silverstone

Reports suggest Wheatley is positioned to reunite with legendary designer Adrian Newey at the Silverstone-based Aston Martin squad. Newey, who joined Aston Martin last November, is reportedly seeking to step back from administrative racing operations to focus exclusively on technical development and troubleshooting the AMR26’s early-season performance issues.

The potential move would bring together the two primary architects of Red Bull’s championship-winning era. For Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll, the acquisition of Wheatley would represent a critical piece in stabilising a team currently hampered by reliability concerns and high-speed vibrations in their new Honda-powered car.

Struggles for the Debutant

The timing of the departure adds further pressure to an Audi team that has endured a difficult start to the 2026 campaign. The team currently sits ninth in the Constructors’ Championship, with drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto suffering from frequent technical failures.

Audi’s leadership emphasised that the restructuring is part of an ongoing journey toward the front of the grid. "The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution and wishes him the best for his future endeavours," the statement read. Binotto is expected to lead the team trackside starting with next week’s Japanese Grand Prix, where the organisation hopes to secure its first points of the season.