Jonathan Wheatley wanted to sign Liam Lawson for Audi F1 team before he left

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Jonathan Wheatley’s Audi exit means the team may no longer be interested in signing Liam Lawson, according to a report. Wheatley has left his team principal role with immediate effect.

The former Red Bull sporting director is expected to join Aston Martin on the recommendation of incumbent boss Adrian Newey. He will have to complete a period of gardening leave first.

Lawson was linked with Sauber, Audi’s forerunners, in 2024, and it has now emerged that Wheatley was the driving force behind that pursuit.

Red Bull demoted Liam Lawson back to Racing Bulls exactly one year ago 🗓️ How do you rate his last 12 months in F1 out of 10? 🤔

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Jonathan Wheatley’s Audi exit removes Liam Lawson safety net

Lawson joined the Red Bull programme in 2019, so Wheatley had followed his career closely. It seems the Englishman was a big believer in his talent.

While he didn’t start work until April 2025, Wheatley’s move to Audi was announced in 2024. According to the New Zealand Herald, he expressed an interest in bringing Lawson with him amid uncertainty over the youngster’s place in the Red Bull programme.

Had Red Bull not guaranteed him a seat at either of their teams by a certain date, he could have left. But Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Racing Bulls in late 2024 and stepped up to Red Bull at the start of the following season.

If Max Verstappen retires from F1, who should Red Bull sign as his replacement?

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With Wheatley gone, the Audi route is now likely to be closed off. And if there is a vacancy at Aston Martin next to Lance Stroll (Fernando Alonso is clearly approaching retirement), it’s likely to go to the Honda-backed Yuki Tsunoda instead.

In a sense, this is a blow to Lawson’s ‘job security’ as an F1 driver. If it doesn’t work out at Red Bull/Racing Bulls, he may be left without a safety net.

Red Bull are under ‘incredible pressure’ to sign Racing Bulls driver if Max Verstappen leaves

Max Verstappen’s future in F1 is uncertain, with the four-time world champion considering retirement over his dissatisfaction with the new regulations.

Naturally, many are wondering what Verstappen’s stance means for Lawson. Could it present an opportunity to return to Red Bull alongside former teammate Isack Hadjar?

According to The Herald, there is ‘incredible pressure’ on Red Bull to promote from within rather than ‘signing the best available driver’. 2020 acquisition Sergio Perez is one of the few drivers who have joined from outside the stable.

It was already clear that Lawson’s duel with Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls would be crucial for the future of both drivers. Now, with a Red Bull seat potentially on offer, the stakes could be far higher than anyone imagined.