Audi, Wheatley’s farewell already decided in Australia
Audi is at the beginning of its adventure in Formula 1 and has already tasted those power dynamics that can lead to internal struggles, controversies, and separations. In fact, Jonathan Wheatley was team principal for only two GPs, before leaving the team for unspecified “personal reasons“. Diplomatic words, hiding latent friction for months with Mattia Binotto over the definition of their respective responsibilities.
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In short, one of Binotto and Wheatley had to fall from the tower. And, according to what was gathered by the Japanese of as-web, the decisive argument took place on the Saturday in Melbourne: “At that moment their relationship took a turn for the worse, it became clear that they would no longer be able to work together“.
“However, with CEO Gernot Döllner traveling to Australia to attend Audi’s first Grand Prix, announcing the farewell at that juncture would have ruined the atmosphere. And so Wheatley would remain in his position for a while longer“.
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Binotto, in short, wanted and wants to be the absolute point of reference in the house of the four rings. It is no coincidence that he is not currently looking for a new team principal. The engineer from Reggio will be at the head of the Audi pit wall and will have a trusted deputy by his side, someone to carry out his instructions when he cannot be physically present: the names of Allan McNish and Iñaki Rueda are being mentioned.
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