F1 Today | Another BOMBSHELL exit at Red Bull, as McLaren strengthen

Formula 1 has entered the traditional summer break period, but it hasn't gone quiet yet. Once again, bombshell news dropped at Red Bull as another long-term figurehead was announced as leaving. As Red Bull's solid pit wall started to break down, McLaren strengthened their ties with their pit wall.

Wheatley will leave Red Bull

After Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley has also decided to leave the Red Bull Racing team. He will finish the current Formula 1 season, which will be followed by a period of gardening leave for 2025, which was announced on Thursday by Red Bull.

Wheatley is the second key member of Red Bull's staff in a few months to say goodbye to the team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez after this year after Adrian Newey announced his departure earlier. It was no secret that the 57-year-old Briton had the ambition to become team boss, and he can make that ambition come true at Audi. See the announcement here.

But is there a bit of tension between Red Bull and Audi?

In a rather unique situation, Red Bull announced the destination of Wheatley in their announcement post. But it wasn't long until Audi confirmed the news themselves. Audi has officially announced that Jonathan Wheatley will start work as team boss of the Formula 1 team that will be on the grid from 2026. He will team up with former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, who was recently announced as CTO at Sauber. See Audi's announcement here.

What roles will Wheatley and Binotto take at Audi?

Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley will jointly form the new management team of Sauber Motorsport AG.

As COO and CTO, Binotto will take over the operational management of Sauber at the Hinwil location, as well as the technical development of the future racing cars. In this role, he is the technical link between the development teams in Hinwil and Audi Formula Racing in Neuburg, responsible for powerplant development. Wheatley will focus primarily on the racing performance of the future F1 factory team, on the operational management of all racing events and on representing Audi in the role of team principal in all matters relating to Formula 1. See Audi's full explanation here.

As Red Bull breakdown, McLaren grow stronger

McLaren have been getting closer and closer to Red Bull over recent months. In fact, some will argue that the balance of power on the circuit has switched over. It could also be switching over in terms of togetherness as well.

McLaren have extended Andrea Stella's contract. The Italian team principal, who took over from Andreas Seidl who left for Sauber, signed a multi-year contract at McLaren. In the two years since Stella was named team principal, the team have won two Grands Prix, and are now able to challenge Red Bull after the Austrian's domination. See the announcement here.