Audi F1 Boss Wheatley Calls Team Principal Role 'Completely Unattainable'
New Audi F1 team principal Jonathan Wheatley reveals his rise from a junior mechanic was never planned, calling the top job "completely unattainable" during his early career in the sport.
Jonathan Wheatley, the incoming Team Principal for Audi's 2026 F1 project, has opened up about his unexpected journey from a junior mechanic at Benetton to the top of a works team. He admits that early in his career, the role of a team principal seemed "completely unattainable," a position reserved for giants like Ron Dennis and Flavio Briatore. Wheatley's ascent marks a significant moment for the Audi program, placing a respected, garage-born leader at its helm as it prepares to enter the grid.
Why it matters:
Wheatley's appointment is more than a personal milestone; it's a strategic statement by Audi. By placing a leader who rose through the ranks and values teamwork over personal ambition at the helm, the German manufacturer is signaling a commitment to building a strong, unified culture from the ground up. His extensive experience and deep respect within the paddock could be crucial in navigating the immense challenges of becoming a competitive F1 works team from scratch.
The details:
- Wheatley began his F1 career as a junior mechanic at Benetton in the early 1990s, later serving as chief mechanic at Benetton and Renault before a long stint at Red Bull.
- On his early ambitions, he stated: "Back then, team principals were Ron Dennis, Flavio Briatore, Luca di Montezemolo... to even think for a second that you could be a team principal was completely unattainable."
- He described his career progression as organic, saying he was never "massively career motivated" but simply "enjoyed every day in Formula 1" and took opportunities as they arose.
- He will lead the Audi works team in 2026 with the driver lineup of Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, carried over from the 2025 Sauber season.
What's next:
All eyes will be on Wheatley as he transitions the Sauber operation into the full Audi works team for the 2026 season. His primary challenge will be fostering a winning culture and integrating the massive resources of a manufacturer like Audi with the established F1 team structure. If his collaborative, experience-driven approach translates to on-track success, Wheatley's "unattainable" journey could culminate in leading Audi to the front of the grid.