Longtime Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is leaving the team to become the principal of Audi’s upcoming F1 team.

“I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team,” Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi AG, said Thursday.

“Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team.”

Wheatley spent nearly two decades with Red Bull and was part of 13 world titles.

“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” Red Bull leader Christian Horner said. “His contribution to six World Constructors’ Titles and seven World Drivers’ Championship, first as Team Manager and latterly Sporting Director will forever be a marker in our Team history.”

Wheatley, a 57-year-old Brit, will remain at Red Bull through the 2024 season.

Audi will begin racing under its own banner in 2026 after taking ownership of the Sauber team and is undergoing a management overhaul.

CEO Andreas Seidl and executive Oliver Hoffmann, who was overseeing the Audi project, have departed. Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto was named last week to lead the Audi project.

–Field Level Media