Overview
- Mattia Binotto said Audi will not hire a traditional team principal and will instead add a dedicated race‑weekend support role so he can focus on factory work.
- Jonathan Wheatley left the role for personal reasons early in the season, and Binotto is covering leadership duties in the interim.
- Multiple outlets report Wheatley is likely to join Aston Martin, with a long spell of gardening leave expected before any move can start.
- Gardening leave in Formula 1 is a paid period that keeps senior staff away from rivals so recent know‑how and contacts do not transfer immediately.
- Commentator Will Buxton has urged Audi to consider Allan McNish, who runs the team’s young‑driver program and previously led Audi’s Formula E squad, though Audi has not announced a successor.