Wheatley leaves Audi: This appears to be a key reason behind stepping down

Anyone following Wheatley on Instagram would not have thought in recent days that this was the man who would be leaving Audi before the weekend. The always affable Brit shared photos of the factory in Hinwil and wrote about how the German squad would bounce back in Japan after a tough weekend in China.

Wheatley himself will no longer be there, as has now become clear. Within a year, the Brit is leaving Audi, likely to eventually seek his fortune at Aston Martin. The man who worked for Red Bull Racing for more than two decades has become a job hopper after all.

Ultimately, the key question is: Why leave the ambitious Audi to possibly take a role at Aston Martin? At the Silverstone-based team, things are unsettled, team principals are changed regularly, and the underpowered Honda engine clouds the future. Meanwhile, Audi has started its F1 adventure well, with ambitions that are clear and, at first glance, realistic.

GPblog understands that the relationship between Binotto and Wheatley was difficult. Although Binotto, as COO and CTO, was the most important figure within the organization, he had no influence over Wheatley’s appointment. Both appointments were made by Audi’s top management; the Italian had no say in that. But apparently, Wheatley was not the team boss Binotto would have preferred.

By leaving Audi, Wheatley can also leave Switzerland, where he lived there for only a year. He can return to his family and friends in the United Kingdom, especially if he indeed goes to work for Aston Martin. That team’s factory is in Silverstone, not far from Milton Keynes where Wheatley previously worked with Red Bull.

He may also be in line for a pay raise, as co-owner Lawrence Stroll is determined to bring the best people to Aston Martin. It’s no coincidence that several key figures from other teams have succumbed to the British outfit in recent years.