Audi does not intend to name a new team principal after Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden departure from the team. Mattia Binotto took over the Briton’s duties and indicated that the immediate priority will be to reorganize the team’s internal structure.
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This change happened between the stages of the Chinese GP and the Japanese GP of Formula 1, when Wheatley left the position with immediate effect. With that, Binotto, who already led the Audi project, began to accumulate operational responsibilities, while evaluating adjustments to make the model sustainable.
Speaking to Sky, the Italian executive was direct in dismissing the search for a replacement: “We are not looking for a new team principal,” he said. Still, he acknowledged that the accumulation of duties requires changes in the team’s organization.
According to Binotto, the priority will be to create a structure that allows for dividing responsibilities, especially during race weekends. The executive highlighted that he also needs to maintain focus on the work carried out at the team’s bases: “I will have to reorganize the team, myself and the structure to ensure that someone can support me on race weekends, as there is a lot of work at the factory to continue developing the team and the cars, both in Hinwil and in Neuburg, on which I need to concentrate,” he said.
The team intends to take advantage of the calendar break in April to advance these changes. Binotto indicated that the period without races will be important to define the new organization: “We are analyzing and reflecting on how we can better organize ourselves on race weekends to have more support. Now, in April, we have about a month’s break in racing activities, and that is a good opportunity for us to reorganize,” he said.
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Binotto also revealed that Wheatley’s departure was unexpected. According to him, the decision was communicated suddenly for personal reasons presented by the Briton himself: “Everything happened very quickly and sometimes that’s just how it is. Last Friday, Jonathan simply informed us that, for personal reasons, which we cannot discuss, evaluate or judge and which we respect, he could not commit long-term”.
Despite the surprise, the executive praised the work of the former team principal and highlighted the need to move forward: “Certainly he did a great job. He had an important influence on us and we need to reorganize,” he added.
Finally, Binotto rejected the idea that the change was already being planned: “No, honestly not. He was so committed and focused on the team and the tasks that, honestly, I did not see this coming,” concluded the Italian.
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