Audi Seeks New Team Principal After Wheatley's Sudden Departure

Audi's Head of F1 project, Mattia Binotto, has confirmed that the team is looking for a replacement for Jonathan Wheatley, who departed as Team Principal with immediate effect last week. Binotto will cover Wheatley's duties in the interim.

Binotto described Wheatley's departure as 'very unexpected' and 'very fast.' He stated that Wheatley had spoken to Audi's CEO and the board, citing personal reasons for his inability to commit to the long term.

'We decided as Audi, given that he couldn't commit, to release him from duties,' Binotto explained. 'I don't think that as a team we have realised it yet. It was just [last week] and now we are here in Japan and we have a race weekend ahead.'

Binotto and Wheatley had been operating a dual leadership structure. Binotto will now focus on the factory work, including developing the car and powertrain, and will need someone to support the team at the race weekend.

'Looking at what his strengths were, the task he was performing - we need to fill the gap,' Binotto said. 'I can't simply add more and more responsibility and tasks for myself.'

Audi is committed to building the team into championship contenders by 2030. Binotto emphasized the team's focus on the future, stating, 'We are focused on the future. Looking back makes no sense. We are fully focused on what's next.'