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Jonathan Wheatley’s arrival at Sauber (Audi) in 2025 was not ‘coordinated’ with Mattia Binotto.
When Audi announced that they would take over Sauber in the Formula 1 paddock, they instantly made a splash when hiring their team managers.
In 2024, Mattia Binotto arrived at Sauber as the COO and CTO, after holding the team principal role at Ferrari. The Italian later became the head of the Audi F1 project at the start of the 2026 season.
This was then followed by Jonathan Wheatley arriving at Sauber in 2025 as the team principal, a role that he carried over to Audi at the start of the 2026 season.
However, there has now been speculation that the arrival of the two figures was not ‘coordinated’ and has resulted in ‘small rifts’ appearing between them.
Is Jonathan Wheatley the right man to get Aston Martin back on track in 2026?
What was your immediate reaction to the news? Let us know in the comments below!
Jonathan Wheatley’s arrival at Audi was not ‘coordinated’
Whilst discussing the speculation that Wheatley could join Aston Martin on F1-insider.com, Bianca Garloff revealed that ‘small rifts’ have emerged between Wheatley and Mattia Binotto.
It has been reported that Wheatley’s arrival at Audi was not ‘coordinated’ with Binotto, who arrived at the team before Wheatley joined.
Garloff said, “If you do a bit of digging now, a few details are coming to light suggesting that perhaps the appointment of Jonathan Wheatley as team principal wasn’t really coordinated with that of Mattia Binotto, who was, after all, brought on board shortly before Jonathan Wheatley; it’s not entirely clear whether Wheatley himself knew nothing about this or was simply unable to influence the decision.
“I wonder if Mattia Binotto wanted to take on this role as project manager from the outset, a role that’s a bit more in the background. Whether he’d rather be the team principal, who’s also on site at the races.
“Looking at the statements made over the last few days, which sounded anything but harmonious, and the rumours that have been circulating for several weeks now, suggesting that small rifts have certainly already emerged between the two of them and also between the two locations.”
If Aston Martin decide to replace Adrian Newey as team principal, who should they sign?
Jonathan Wheatley will leave Audi with immediate effect
There have been reports that Aston Martin have realised that Adrian Newey is not the right man to hold the team principal role for their Formula 1 team.
This has resulted in speculation that Newey will lose his role as team principal after only two Grands Prix in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
These reports have coincided with an announcement from Audi confirming that Jonathan Wheatley will leave his role at Audi. This has reignited speculation that Wheatley will reunite with Newey at Aston Martin after their past relationship at Red Bull.
Other names have been linked to the team principal role with Aston Martin, with Andreas Seidl and Gianpiero Lambiase. However, Seidl has already confirmed that the rumours linking him to Audi are false.
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