As Audi accelerates its charge toward the 2026 Formula 1 grid, the German marque has made a seismic shift in leadership, appointing former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto as Head of the Audi F1 Project and Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal. This strategic realignment signals Audi’s intent to debut not just as another competitor, but as a fully integrated and fiercely efficient factory team.
With its F1 debut less than a year away, Audi is tightening its internal structure to sharpen the synergy between chassis and power unit development. Binotto—an engineer renowned for his technical depth and methodical approach—will oversee the entirety of development operations across Audi’s tri-location network: Hinwil, Neuburg an der Donau, and the forthcoming technical centre in the UK. Under his stewardship, Audi aims to fuse its racing DNA with the precision of German engineering to produce a seamless race package.
In tandem, Jonathan Wheatley assumes the role of Team Principal and Management Board Spokesperson at Sauber Motorsport AG, Audi’s racing partner in the venture. Best known for his instrumental role in Red Bull Racing’s sustained success, Wheatley brings a rare blend of operational savvy and team culture leadership. His appointment ensures that Audi will be represented by a seasoned voice in Formula 1’s strategic forums while instilling top-tier race operations capability from the outset.
The changes reflect Audi’s commitment to operating with the cohesion of a true works team. By consolidating leadership and aligning its technological hubs, the company is positioning itself for a more agile and unified development process. This alignment becomes all the more critical as Formula 1 enters a new regulatory era in 2026, where the harmony between chassis and hybrid powertrain will be paramount.
In support of these leadership transitions, Christian Foyer has been named Chief Operating Officer of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, effective 1 May 2025. With nearly two decades of experience across F1 operations and powertrain development, the Aachen-born engineer is expected to bring robust process discipline to the Neuburg-based hybrid power unit programme. Foyer steps into a newly created role as part of a wider organisational overhaul that sees the CEO position eliminated. Adam Baker, the outgoing CEO, departs by mutual agreement after laying the groundwork for Audi’s entry into the sport.
Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG, acknowledged Baker’s foundational contributions, saying:
“Adam played a decisive role in shaping the overall strategic concept for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 and got the development of the power unit in Neuburg off the ground.”
Now, with Binotto, Wheatley, and Foyer forming the core of Audi’s leadership, the project is poised to enter its most critical phase. Supporting this trio, Stefan Dreyer will continue as CTO overseeing power unit development and now also steps into the role of spokesperson for the AFR management board.
Audi’s methodical integration of its racing and engineering operations reflects a clear ambition: to enter Formula 1 not as an underdog, but as a benchmark. With a streamlined leadership structure, a focus on technical cohesion, and a team of seasoned experts at the helm, the brand is setting the stage for a formidable debut in motorsport’s most elite arena.
