Audi no longer two-headed
Over the past week, the Audi has taken note of the will of Jonathan Wheatley to leave his position as team principal for “personal reasons” and entrusted the role to Mattia Binottoalready head of the German company’s Formula 1 project. In the following days, however, indiscretions emerged telling of clashes and tensions between Wheatley and Binotto that continued from 2025 to define their respective perimeters of action, so much so that Gernot Dollner – CEO of Audi – understood that the two-headed solution would not have a long life.
Binotto denies the tensions
Interviewed on Suzuka Friday by Sky Deutschland, Mattia Binotto told what happened, effectively denying the rumours: “It was a total surprise, sometimes things go like that. Last Friday Jonathan informed us that he was unable to commit long-term to Audi for personal reasons. We cannot judge him but only respect him. As a result we decided to relieve him of his duties, but Jonathan was very well integrated into the team and had significant influence“.
Mattia Binotto then clarified that Audi is not looking for a new team manager: “We’re not looking for a new team principal. We have to develop the team and the car and I have to concentrate fully on my job. We are evaluating how to reorganize. An April free from competitions will help us, we have many ideas about it.”
However, Wheatley’s explanation for his departure did not convince former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher: “I don’t entirely believe Binotto when he says he didn’t know Jonathan wasn’t happy and was leaving. Binotto wants to make decisions alone and this was the problem they had. Obviously the previous approach was not a sustainable one, too many cooks spoil the broth. The gears must fit together without hitches and friction.”
