Audi F1 confirms the sudden departure of team principal Jonathan Wheatley, with Mattia Binotto assuming his responsibilities amid speculation of a move to Aston Martin.
Jonathan Wheatley has departed the Audi Formula 1 team with immediate effect. The news of his sudden exit comes amid widespread speculation within the paddock that he is a key target for a senior role at the Aston Martin F1 team.
Reports suggest Wheatley, who was previously a highly regarded operations figure during his long tenure at Red Bull Racing, may be on his way to Aston Martin. However, the exact nature of his next move and the potential for a period of gardening leave imposed by Audi remain unclear.
The departure is a significant development for Audi's new F1 project, which is in the process of building its team ahead of its official factory entry. Wheatley's exit so soon into his role raises questions about the management structure of the nascent operation.
Aston Martin has been aggressively recruiting top technical and operational talent as part of its own ambitious plans to become a front-running team. The potential acquisition of a figure of Wheatley's experience would align with this strategy, though the team has not commented on the speculation.
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*Originally published on [newsformula.one](https://newsformula.one/article/jonathan-wheatley-departs-audi-f1-team-with-immediate-effect--cbyxw).*