Red Bull have announced the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, who has left the team to take up a key role at Audi.

Wheatley has long been associated with the Red Bull organisation, where he has held the position of sporting director.

The Briton has been an integral part of Red Bull’s success in F1 over the past two decades, working closely with the likes of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.

Wheatley will continue in his role at Red Bull until the end of the current campaign before taking a sabbatical before moving to Audi.

The German carmaker will enter F1 in 2026, taking over the Sauber team currently operating under the Stake moniker.

Audi has recently made another major change, with Mattia Binotto being appointed as the team’s chief executive and technical director.

The arrival of the Italian saw Oliver Hoffmann and Andreas Seidl leave the project.

Red Bull set to announce new structure
Red Bull has confirmed that it will announce a new team structure in the coming weeks following Wheatley’s departure.

“We have had a long and successful relationship with Jonathan over the past 18 years,” said team principal Christian Horner.

“His contributions to six constructors’ world championships and seven drivers’ world championships, first as team manager and later as sporting director, will forever be a mark of our team’s history.

“Jonathan will remain in his role until the end of the 2024 season, as the team looks to successfully defend both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ world titles. A protective sabbatical will take place in 2025.

“Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wishes him all the best in his new role and would like to thank Jonathan.

“Red Bull Racing has enormous strength and depth and this creates the opportunity to promote others within the team. We will announce the new team structure in the coming weeks.”