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Mattia Binotto has addressed the speculation surrounding Jonathan Wheatley’s departure from the Audi F1 team, asserting that his relationship with the German constructor’s former team principal was not ‘strained’.
After a relatively strong start to Audi’s first season in F1 as a fully-fledged constructor, Jonathan Wheatley served up a surprise in the form of a shock exit after assuming the role of team principal at the racing outfit just 12 months earlier.
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Personal reasons were attributed to the sudden move, but that didn’t stop the F1 rumour mill from trying to come up with further justifications as to why the British executive called it a day on his time at Audi after seemingly getting the team onto an upwards trajectory.
Juan Pablo Montoya theorised that Wheatley experienced political issues at the team, while others reported that the leadership dynamic at Audi led to frequent clashes between Wheatley and his counterpart, Mattia Binotto.
- READ MORE: Jonathan Wheatley reportedly rejected ‘unacceptable’ mentality at Audi after joining from Red Bull
Mattia Binotto addresses the rumours surrounding his relationship with Jonathan Wheatley at Audi
In a recent interview with Sport Bild, the Italian engineer cleared up any misconceptions surrounding Wheatley’s sudden exit from Audi’s F1 project.
He said, via Sport.de, “That’s paddock gossip, which is part and parcel of Formula 1. Jonathan and I worked well together. Yes, we have different careers and come from different motorsport cultures, but that’s why we complemented each other so well.
“The results reflect that. If our relationship had been so strained, we certainly wouldn’t have had such a good start to the season.”
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Binotto went on to note that both he and Wheatley were “sad” about the split, adding, “I would have preferred it hadn’t come to this, but we have to respect that and focus on what lies ahead with the people who are still here.”
He also admitted, “His departure has forced changes that we hadn’t planned. However, we have coped well with Jonathan’s departure as a team.”
What’s next for Jonathan Wheatley in F1?
With Audi reportedly now moving on after Wheatley’s departure, it remains to be seen whether the British engineer will make a return to the F1 paddock soon.
Naturally, there will be a period of gardening leave that he will have to serve, with Wheatley expected to try and find a role at a UK-based F1 outfit to continue his work in the sport.
Aston Martin were initially tipped to be Wheatley’s next destination, given their disastrous start to the 2026 F1 campaign, and Adrian Newey’s reported frustrations with everything else that comes with the team principal role.
A return to Red Bull has also been touted for Wheatley. The Briton knows the infrastructure in Milton Keynes like the back of his hand, and could be the perfect man to partner Laurent Mekies as the Frenchman attempts to restore the Austrian constructor to former glory.
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