Helmut Marko has admitted that there was nothing Red Bull could have done to counter Audi’s offer for the services of Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, whose decision the Austrian understands.
Wheatley joined Red Bull in 2006 and has played a vital role in the team's remarkable success in F1. During his time with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, the Briton has been responsible for overseeing its on-site sporting operations as well as its interactions with the FIA.
Wheatley’s career trajectory, from a mechanic to one of the most influential sporting directors in F1, has been nothing short of remarkable.
It’s no surprise, then, that Audi saw him as a prime candidate to lead their ambitious Formula 1 project as they prepare to enter the sport officially in 2026.
In speaking about Wheatley’s decision, Marko was candid about the reasons behind the move and acknowledged that the offer from Audi was simply too good to pass up for the Briton.
“He started as a mechanic and has an incredible career, which he can be very proud of, and he wanted a position that was more demanding for him,” Marko told the Inside Line podcast last month.
“Unfortunately, the offer came from Audi, which we couldn’t match, as whether because of the position or the money they offered him. I understand him, he went for his opportunity.”
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Marko is no stranger to change in the fast-paced world of Formula 1. But the Red Bull motorsport advisor admitted that Wheatley’s departure would be big loss for the championship winning team.
Red Bull’s success in recent years has been built on several pillars, and Wheatley was undoubtedly one of them.
His influence extended beyond just overseeing the sporting side of the team. Marko noted how integral he had been in maintaining Red Bull’s dominance in the pit lane and its sharp, consistent interactions with the FIA
“Of course, it is a loss for us. Jonathan has been a very important member of the team.
“Our pit stops have been a reference, but not only that, also the way in which the mechanics have been trained and [his] interactions with the FIA as Sporting Director.”
Despite the loss, Marko remains optimistic. Red Bull has faced transitions before, and the team has a habit of promoting talent from within.
“We have a team with many young people and we have the opportunity to assign Jonathan’s role to other people and we believe that we can manage this situation internally,” Marko explained.
Looking ahead, Wheatley faces a monumental task in turning around Sauber, the team that currently sits at the bottom of the grid.
By the time he officially begins his role in 2025, factoring in the inevitable period of gardening leave, he will have just half a season to make meaningful changes before Audi’s full entry into the sport in 2026.
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