Red Bull faces reshuffle as Wheatley joins Audi F1

Red Bull is gearing up for a significant management restructure as it prepares to bid farewell to long-serving sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.

The Formula 1 powerhouse will look to fill the void internally, seizing the opportunity to refresh its leadership structure amid a period of change.

Wheatley, a stalwart of the Milton Keynes-based outfit for 18 years, is set to take on the role of team principal at Audi's fledgling F1 operation at the conclusion of the current season.

This move comes as part of a broader shake-up within Red Bull, following the recent announcement of Adrian Newey's impending departure.

The German luxury carmaker Audi, which has taken control of the Sauber team with plans to field its own car and engine by 2026, has been seeking to bolster its management team.

Wheatley's appointment appears to be independent of Audi's new chief operating and technical officer, Mattia Binotto, formerly of Ferrari.

Internal promotion strategy

Sources close to Red Bull indicate that the team will prioritize internal candidates to succeed Wheatley.

This approach aligns with the team's ethos of nurturing talent and provides an opportunity to streamline its management structure.

While Christian Horner remains at the helm, the departures of both Wheatley and Newey necessitate a reorganization of Red Bull's trackside operations and pit wall setup.

One possibility being considered is the reintroduction of a team manager role, potentially replacing the sporting director title held by Wheatley.

Cost cap considerations

This restructuring could prove beneficial as Red Bull navigates the challenges posed by Formula 1's cost cap regulations.

By promoting from within and potentially redistributing responsibilities, the team may find more efficient ways to allocate its resources.

Evolution, not revolution

Despite speculation that these high-profile departures signal turmoil within Red Bull, an alternative perspective suggests that the team is simply evolving.

The exit of veteran staff members could pave the way for fresh talent and new ideas to emerge.

This view is supported by recent events, such as the team offering new terms to designer Pierre Wache shortly before Newey's departure was confirmed.

It's likely that Red Bull has already identified potential candidates for Wheatley's role.

Wheatley's ambitions and team dynamics

Wheatley's move to Audi comes as no surprise to paddock insiders, who were aware of his aspirations to lead a team.

Earlier this year, he was briefly linked to Horner's position during an internal investigation, creating some tension within the team.

However, Wheatley ultimately signed a letter of support for Horner, reaffirming his commitment to the team principal who had brought him on board from Benetton in 2006.

Potential candidates and role division

As Red Bull considers its options, one name that has emerged is Gianpiero Lambiase, currently serving as Head of Race Engineering and Max Verstappen's race engineer.

The team may opt to split Wheatley's responsibilities, with Lambiase potentially taking on part of the role while another senior figure handles team manager duties, including FIA negotiations.

Red Bull's focus on internal promotion underscores its confidence in its existing talent pool.

The team views the departure of high-profile, well-compensated staff as a natural part of its evolution, rather than a cause for concern.