Marko declares Wheatley’s departure to Audi F1 a significant loss for Red Bull, yet assures an internal promotion is forthcoming.
Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull’s Sporting Director, will leave the team at the end of the season to join the Audi F1 project.
Wheatley won’t start immediately at Stake F1, as he is set to take on his new role as team director in the summer of 2025, six months before the German manufacturer’s official entry with Sauber, which forms the base of the project.
He will work in tandem with Mattia Binotto, who will focus primarily on the factory and operations in Hinwil. Wheatley will concentrate on the sporting side and trackside operations—an area of expertise he developed during nearly two decades as Sporting Director at Red Bull.
What gap will Wheatley leave at Red Bull? Consultant Helmut Marko admits that Wheatley will be a loss for the team, but the new challenge at Audi was too good a career opportunity for Wheatley to pass up, an opportunity Red Bull could not match.
“Jonathan Wheatley was a very important part of the team.”
“Our pit stops set the standard, but it wasn’t just that; his entire approach, his methodology, the way he trained mechanics, and also his interaction with the FIA, etc.”
“But he is now in his fifties and, of course, he wanted… he started as a mechanic, so it’s a remarkable career he’s very proud of.”
“He wanted a more challenging position for himself and, unfortunately for us, this offer from Audi came along, which we couldn’t match—neither the position nor the salary.”
While Wheatley’s experience will be missed at Red Bull, Marko highlighted the team’s overall strength, as those who have learned under Wheatley’s guidance will fill the void.
“Personally, I understand his taking the opportunity, but of course, it’s a loss for us. On the other hand, we now have a very diversified team.”
“We’ve trained young people. We educate them, so we have the capability to delegate Jonathan’s position to several individuals. We believe we can handle the situation internally without any concern.”
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Wheatley at Audi F1 is a ‘loss’ for Red Bull Wheatley at Audi F1 is a ‘loss’ for Red Bull
