--- title: "Jonathan Wheatley Abandons Audi F1 Team After 2 Races" date: "2026-03-20" modified: "2026-03-20" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/jonathan-wheatley-abandons-audi-f1-team-after-2-races" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Jonathan Wheatley Abandons Audi F1 Team After 2 Races ![BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 19: Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Audi F1 Team arrives in the Paddock during day two of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 19, 2026 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)]() *\Joseph Portlock via Getty\* Jonathan Wheatley, the charismatic and [always-upbeat Brit]() who left Red Bull Racing to become Audi's first-ever [Formula 1]() team principal, is no longer. The cause for the split was simply cited as "personal reasons." Rumors of Wheatley jumping ship to Aston Martin after [Adrian Newey was expected to step down as team principal]() circulated on Thursday, though the team didn't officially confirm his departure until Friday. "We are grateful to Jonathan Wheatley for his contribution to the project during the crucial entry phase and wish him all the best for the future,” said Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, in a press release. “Mattia Binotto and the team will continue to pursue the path we have chosen with determination." Mattia Binotto, to whom Wheatley originally reported, will assume the role immediately and play the part as the team heads to the Japanese Grand Prix next week. This is a shocking development that will undoubtedly have long-term repercussions not just for Audi but also across the paddock. The German/Swiss outfit will have to shuffle personnel around, unless Binotto plans to remain as team principal long term. Even then, chances are someone else will need to fulfill the duties he performed in the team principal role. It's a similar situation at Aston. Will Wheatley bring others from Audi or Red Bull with him? That'll be interesting to see. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()