Audi F1 Team Leader Steps Down, Binotto Takes Over

0:00On March 27, Audi Formula One has hit a snag with team principal Jonathan Wheatley stepping down immediately for personal reasons. Mattia Benado, head of the Audi F1 project, is stepping in to cover those duties on an interim basis while they search for a replacement. This comes just two Grand Prix into Audi's run as a full works team after taking over Salber and building their own engine facility. Wheatley had only been in the role for less than a year, following two decades at rival Red Bull. Benado described the exit as very unexpected, catching the whole team off guard during a busy race weekend in Japan. He noted that Wheatley spoke directly to the CEO and board about not being able to commit long-term, leading Audi to release him right away. The team had a dual leadership setup, with Benado overseeing the chassis and power unit development at the factory and Wheatley handling track. Operations Now, Benado says they need someone strong to fill that onsite role so he can stay focused on transforming the team.

1:02Audi is already looking at options and plans a quick announcement. With eyes on their new power unit debut in 2026 and championship goals by 2030, the group is shifting back to the task ahead, committed to their big plans. Stay locked in with F1 News today, AI-powered updates.