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Wheatley gets compliments from Vowles and Komatsu at Zandvoort

Red Bull chief Wheatley gets high praise: 'What he has achieved is amazing'

23 August at 14:30
  • Estéban den Toom

News broke during the summer break that Red Bull Racing sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is set to leave the Austrian constructor next season. Team principal James Vowles of Williams and Ayao Komatsu of Haas express their admiration for Wheatley, who will start work as team principal of Audi, which will be on the grid from 2026. Wheatley will team up with Mattia Binotto there.

James Vowles on Wheatley

Vowles speaking about Wheatley. "It's something I know that he wanted, and he's done a brilliant job within Red Bull. He's been part of the success that they've had there. You look at the areas that he's responsible for, which is the operation of the race car track side, the race team, the pit stops, and you can see the diligence he applies to that area," said the Williams team boss.

Vowles also praised Red Bull. "They are class leaders, and that's not by chance. That's through hard work and applying diligence to it. In terms of the background people come from, I've said this already, I think the leadership skills are the important bits that come out of it."

Wheatley is thus making the move to Audi. The Williams team principal wishes Wheatley all the best for the new challenge. "I bring a good understanding of how to run a business fundamentally, but not to the expertise of some of the other team principals. But it's the communication and leadership that really comes through. And in that regard, I can only adjudicate by what he's done at Red Bull. I think he's got a good foundation to work from and wish him all the best in that regard."

Komatsu also praises Red Bull director

Haas team boss Komatsu also speaks highly of Wheatley. "I don't know him that well, but of course I was at Enstone, then Jonathan was there before me at Enstone, so I've heard indirectly from the people who worked for him how good he was. And then, like James said, what he achieved at Red Bull is amazing. I'm really happy that he's got this opportunity. I'm sure he will do a very good job."

This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi


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