2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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Waz
Waz
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Joined: 03 Mar 2024, 09:29

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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I can't understand why he would go there. Aston Martin are on the 4th or 5th TP in as many years. It's a toxic environment for senior managers.

Not to mention, the Audi project is leaps and bounds ahead. Honda aren't solving anything soon, not without a full redesign like in 2017, and returning their top engineers to the project.

Audi already has good people in place, and a clear list of improvements needed.

Italiano
Italiano
14
Joined: 07 Mar 2010, 11:28

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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Some reports state the reasons as tension between him and Binotto and wanting to be back in the UK, not Switzerland.

I don't get the move either, but the rumors are very strong at the moment..
#Forza Michael #Forza Jules

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AR3-GP
589
Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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Waz wrote:
20 Mar 2026, 14:51
I can't understand why he would go there. Aston Martin are on the 4th or 5th TP in as many years. It's a toxic environment for senior managers.
Jonathan Wheatley knows Adrian Newey, Honda, and everyone who works in England.
Beware of T-Rex

V10FURY
V10FURY
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Joined: 19 Feb 2026, 20:46

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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https://www.planetf1.com/news/audi-conf ... -departure

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/jonat ... /10806706/


Looks official now!!

Jonathan Wheatley is to depart his role as Audi team boss in a bombshell announcement made by the German manufacturer.

After days of speculation about his future, Audi has confirmed that Jonathan Wheatley is to vacate his role as team boss amid a departure from the squad after just a year.

But Audi has confirmed that Wheatley’s journey with the team has come to an unexpectedly premature end.

“As it continues its journey towards the front of the grid, Audi Revolut F1 Team will implement significant changes to its senior management structure,” read a statement.

“Due to personal reasons, Jonathan Wheatley will depart the team with immediate effect. The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.

“Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project, will continue leading the team while taking over additional responsibilities as Team Principal.

basti313
basti313
30
Joined: 22 Feb 2014, 14:49

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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Crazy...
I bet this is the location. Many Brits have issues with Europe, the usual Ferrari problem. Plus maybe a not bad compensation by Mr. Stroll that makes it possible to just be unsuccessful.
And Audi...seems to have a very likable management ...

Whatever this is...good luck and all the best to Mr Wheatley! Big loss for Audi unfortunately.
Don`t russel the hamster!

SealTheRealDeal
SealTheRealDeal
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Joined: 31 Mar 2024, 19:30

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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Waz wrote:
20 Mar 2026, 14:51
I can't understand why he would go there. Aston Martin are on the 4th or 5th TP in as many years. It's a toxic environment for senior managers.

Not to mention, the Audi project is leaps and bounds ahead. Honda aren't solving anything soon, not without a full redesign like in 2017, and returning their top engineers to the project.

Audi already has good people in place, and a clear list of improvements needed.
Well, despite the turn over in that position and stories of Stroll being an impatient cut-throat, AMF1 TPs seem to have pretty good job security.

Otmar: long time TP, left on his own initiative after being conned by Laurent Rossi

Krack: still employed in a very senior role at the team (head of trackside stuff)

Cowell: still employed in a very senior role at the team (whipping Honda)

Newey: as a partial owner he is guaranteed to stay in some senior role, even if the title of TP passes to someone else

gshevlin
gshevlin
5
Joined: 23 Jun 2017, 19:33

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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A very experienced team principal named Andreas Seidl is out there, but he was previously fired by Audi.

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Jurgen von Diaz
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Joined: 11 Feb 2024, 18:38

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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It's going to be Binotto who takes the TP role.

kptaylor
kptaylor
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Joined: 01 Feb 2012, 22:11
Location: Cluj-Napoca, RO

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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How does this help AM now if Wheatley will have a gardening leave period? If Audi are "furious" I doubt they'll let him off unless Stroll pays a huge amount of money.

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lio007
327
Joined: 28 Jan 2013, 23:03
Location: Austria

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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Wheatley poached Lee Stevenson (former Chiefmechanic of Max) from RBR. I wonder what he is doing now after Wheatley is gone.

mzso
mzso
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Joined: 05 Apr 2014, 14:52

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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basti313 wrote:
20 Mar 2026, 17:47
Crazy...
I bet this is the location. Many Brits have issues with Europe, the usual Ferrari problem. Plus maybe a not bad compensation by Mr. Stroll that makes it possible to just be unsuccessful.
And Audi...seems to have a very likable management ...

Whatever this is...good luck and all the best to Mr Wheatley! Big loss for Audi unfortunately.
I don't think so. I think his role was compromised by Binotto. That's why he can just walk away, because he couldn't do what he was contracted to. There's no mention of a "gardening leave".
Something similar happened at McLaren (I think) a few years ago, with an engineering lead.

mzso
mzso
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Joined: 05 Apr 2014, 14:52

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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SealTheRealDeal wrote:
20 Mar 2026, 20:06
Cowell: still employed in a very senior role at the team (whipping Honda)
Who knows what he's doing... He might be in the engine development as much as the Honda staff, since he is an expert.

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AR3-GP
589
Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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lio007 wrote:
20 Mar 2026, 23:52
Wheatley poached Lee Stevenson (former Chiefmechanic of Max) from RBR. I wonder what he is doing now after Wheatley is gone.
He also poached Verstappen's chief mechanic (Matt Caller).
Beware of T-Rex

SealTheRealDeal
SealTheRealDeal
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Joined: 31 Mar 2024, 19:30

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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lio007 wrote:
20 Mar 2026, 23:52
Wheatley poached Lee Stevenson (former Chiefmechanic of Max) from RBR. I wonder what he is doing now after Wheatley is gone.
Key is still the TD despite his buddy Seidl getting the boot, I imagine Stevenson will likewise continue with Audi as planned, barring any unusual circumstances.

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lio007
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Joined: 28 Jan 2013, 23:03
Location: Austria

Re: 2026 Audi Revolut F1 Team

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AR3-GP wrote:
21 Mar 2026, 00:11
lio007 wrote:
20 Mar 2026, 23:52
Wheatley poached Lee Stevenson (former Chiefmechanic of Max) from RBR. I wonder what he is doing now after Wheatley is gone.
He also poached Verstappen's chief mechanic (Matt Caller).
Indeed! Kind of repressed that.