Oracle Red Bull Racing sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is departing the team to join the future Audi F1 Factory Team, Red Bull and Audi announced Aug. 1.
Wheatley will serve as the team’s team principal when it joins the F1 paddock.
“I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as team principal for our future Formula 1 team,” Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, said in a team release. “Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team.“
Wheatley joins former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto as recent acquisitions to the future F1 team’s management team. Wheatley’s journey in F1 began in the early 1990s, when he served as the chief mechanic for Benetton Formula 1.
“I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last eighteen years and will leave with many fond memories,” Wheatley said. “However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge.
“Also, I am glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project.“
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