Cynical Horner claims that he can make good use of Wheatley's money
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- Ludo van Denderen
Red Bull Racing will see another frontrunner leave after this season. After Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will soon leave the Austrian team. For 18 years, the Briton worked for Max Verstappen 's racing stable, a period during which he was praised for his work by friend and foe alike. Yet Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing's team boss, does not seem all that mournful about Wheatley's impending farewell.
Wheatley will start working as team boss of Audi from mid-2025 at the latest. At that team, ambitions are sky-high, which is why they are investing heavily; including in personnel. It was previously announced that Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team boss, has been recruited to head Audi's technical department. Like Wheatley, Binotto is surely not a cheap guy.
Because of his salary at Red Bull, Horner apparently does not mind Wheatley leaving for Audi. Last Sunday in Belgium, Swiss newspaper Blick already asked Horner about a possible Wheatley transition, and then the British team boss said: "I know Jonathan wants to go. Why not? He is an expensive man, whose salary allows me to employ a few engineers."
Horner the most expensive team boss in F1
How much Wheatley earns at Red Bull is unknown. However, it is reportedly known how much Horner earns annually from his work at Red Bull Racing. The Brit would earn $10 million a year (around nine million euros). This makes him probably the most expensive team boss in the F1 paddock.
This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.