Audi Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto has defended former team principal Jonathan Wheatley’s abrupt departure from the German manufacturer’s F1 project, suggesting the British executive made the right decision by stepping away when he couldn’t fully commit to the role. Wheatley resigned with immediate effect following the Chinese Grand Prix, just two races into Audi’s inaugural 2026 season as a works team and power unit manufacturer.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, the 21-year-old Brazilian explained Wheatley’s decision from a different perspective. “I think he couldn’t commit to the project fully because he had personal things as he made public,” Bortoleto said. “When you have personal things that you need to put in place, that’s the priority. So yeah, I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, obviously it’s a short period of time, it’s only two races, he has been with us last year as well so it’s not that he only had those two races.”
Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has assumed interim leadership duties at the Hinwil-based operation while Audi searches for a permanent replacement. Bortoleto emphasized continuity within the organization, noting that Binotto “has been with the project for quite a while now, he was already taking all the leadership Audi’s way but now he’s just taking more and more responsibility.” Wheatley’s departure comes amid widespread speculation linking him to a potential move to Aston Martin.
The timing of Wheatley’s exit presents challenges for Audi as they pursue their ambitious goal of becoming world champions by 2030. Several high-profile candidates have emerged as potential successors, including Andreas Seidl, who previously worked with Sauber until 2024, and former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Horner, who was dismissed by Red Bull after two decades last July, successfully transformed the Milton Keynes team into championship winners following his 2005 appointment, though reports suggest any return would require ownership stakes in an F1 operation.