Oracle Red Bull Racing announced on Thursday that their Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, who has been with the Milton Keynes-based outfit since 2006 will leave the team at the end of the year.
Following a period of gardening leave in 2025, the 57 year old Englishman will take up a new position as Team Principal of the new Audi F1 Team following the German automaker’s buy out of the Sauber F1 Team earlier this year.
Wheatley, along with Adrian Newey and Christian Horner has played a key role in Oracle Red Bull Racing’s championship success in Formula One.
In a statement released on Thursday, Oracle Red Bull Racing said:
Today, Oracle Red Bull Racing announce the departure of Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, as he heads to a new challenge, taking up the role of Team Principal with the Audi F1 Project
Speaking about the news, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner commented saying:
It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years. His contribution to six World Constructors’ Titles and seven World Drivers’ Championship, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director will forever be a marker in our Team history.
Jonathan will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, as the Team seek to defend both our World Drivers’ and World Constructors’ Titles successfully. A period of gardening leave will follow in 2025.
Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wish him all the best in his new role and would like to place our thanks to Jonathan. Red Bull Racing have tremendous strength and depth and this provides opportunity to elevate others within the Team. We will announce a new Team structure in the coming weeks.