Jonathan Wheatley had, days before his shock Audi Formula 1 exit, revealed “long conversation” he had with Mattia Binotto regarding the team’s 2026 power unit.
No sooner did Audi transition into a full-time works outfit in F1 from Sauber, this year, the Hinwil-based squad has begun a massive leadership re-shuffle within its ranks.
Wheatley, who had previously served as Red Bull’s Sporting Director before joining the team in 2025, left the Team Principal’s seat, earlier this month.
Rumors had been persisting that the Briton was looking for a way back into the UK, and has emerged as a strong contender to replace Adrian Newey at Aston Martin as its Team Principal.
With Wheatley gone, former Ferrari boss Binotto has taken up the helm of affairs at Audi.
Reports had also suggested a difference of opinion between the two to have served as a catalyst for Wheatley’s departure.
While no credence has been afforded to this reported falling out, Wheatley did reveal extensive discussions had taken place between the duo with respect to the team’s first-ever F1 power unit – an area that Wheatley believed Audi had ‘work to do on’.
“What I can tell you is that I had a long conversation with Mattia about this [the power unit], the analysis that we’ve done,” he had told media including Motorsport Week after the Chinese Grand Prix.
“We’re careful about what we say in public about it.
“One of the areas of focus for us in the next development cycle is the PU. We think there’s some work that we can do in that area.”
Wheatley reveals major weakness for Audi in F1 2026
The 56-lap race at the Shanghai International Circuit was a difficult one to endure for Audi.
Gabriel Bortoleto registered a DNS with suspected engine troubles and Nico Hulkenberg finished outside the points, and a lap down, at the chequered flag.
Reflecting on the weekend, Wheatley examined how one of the biggest issues that the team has to cure in 2026 is with respect to the driveability of its engine.
“I think it’s a track that exposed our weaknesses in many areas,” he added. “One of the things that was interesting here is that in racing situations, how key driveability is.
“It remains a challenge of us to get on top of these driveability issues, because basically Nico had a couple of situations, at I think Turn 6, where it was hard to recover from them because you’ve got to get the engine back in its operating window.”
When prodded to get into the specifics of the issue, Wheatley did concede that this particular area was more aligned towards Binotto’s expertise.
“You’re getting very close to Mattia-type questions and not Jonathan-type questions!,” concluded Wheatley.
“But look, basically, it’s the response of the PU in those situations when you have to react rather than act, I suppose.”
Heading into only its third race weekend of 2026, Audi must conquer arguably one of the most technical and power-sensitive tracks on the F1 calendar in the shape of Suzuka – a circuit that has historically not been a happy hunting ground for Binotto.
READ MORE – Gabriel Bortoleto labels 2026 F1 cars ‘a mess
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