Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden departure caught the entire paddock off guard. At Audi, reactions range from total surprise to accepted fatalism.
Read more Lewis Hamilton responds to criticism about 2026 F1 cars: «I don’t listen to that bullshit anymore»
The announcement hit Formula 1 like a bomb: Jonathan Wheatley left Audi with immediate effect, just two races after the start of the 2026 F1 season.
Arriving to lead the transformation of the project stemming from Sauber, the former Red Bull pillar held a central role in structuring the German team. His sudden departure therefore leaves a significant void at a critical moment in development.
This timing, particularly early in the season, surprised even those in the Audi garage, revealing seemingly limited internal communication on the subject.
Hülkenberg caught off guard: “Oh shit!”
For Nico Hülkenberg, the surprise was total. The German driver learned the news like everyone else… through the media, in a rather unexpected context.
“I found out about it at the same time as everyone else. It was Thursday when the information came out” he explains.
The scene he describes perfectly illustrates the shock felt: “I was in the simulator that day, and my mother sent me an article. Looking at my phone, I reacted: ‘oh shit!'”
Hülkenberg also emphasizes Wheatley’s involvement since his arrival: “He was very invested. As team principal, he was very active, always busy. I saw him working well.”
Bortoleto much more measured
In contrast, Gabriel Bortoleto seemed far less surprised by this announcement. The Brazilian suggests that this decision was not entirely unpredictable internally.
“Honestly, no, it didn’t surprise me” he confides, while acknowledging the speed of events.
Read more George Russell is annoyed: «It’s not normal to want to slow us down»
According to him, certain dynamics within the team hinted at this outcome: “Internally, we’re quite clear about these kinds of things. It’s not something that caught me off guard.”
He nevertheless wants to acknowledge his former boss’s work: “He was a good team principal, everyone appreciated him. He did good work in restructuring the team.”
Personal reasons at the heart of the departure
While speculation is rife, particularly around a possible transfer to Aston Martin, the official version cites personal reasons. A point confirmed by Bortoleto, who briefly spoke with Wheatley after the announcement.
“We just had a brief discussion after the announcement. He explained publicly that he couldn’t commit to the project because of personal reasons.”
The driver nevertheless insists on respecting privacy: “I didn’t go into details. Whatever the reason, that’s his business.”
Audi facing a pivotal period
This departure comes at a delicate moment for Audi, in the midst of building its F1 project. After just two races, the team must already reorganize its leadership while continuing its technical development.
Between internal surprise and controlled messaging, one thing is certain: this decision could have significant repercussions for the rest of the season.
In a paddock where stability is often synonymous with performance, Audi will need to quickly find its bearings to prevent this bombshell from leaving lasting marks.
Read more Surprise in Japan: Ferrari and Red Bull modify their single-seater