Audi F1 restructure plan after shock Jonathan Wheatley exit revealed

Audi Formula 1 chief Mattia Binotto has revealed how the team will move forward following the shock departure of Jonathan Wheatley.

Between the Chinese and Japanese grands prix, Audi was rocked by the sudden exit of Wheatley with immediate effect less than a year after the Briton took on the role of team principal, having joined from Red Bull.

In response to Wheatley’s departure, Audi announced an immediate restructure that saw Binotto, the head of the project, covering the team principal duties on an interim basis while the team takes stock.

Speaking to media including Crash.net on Sunday in Japan, Binotto confirmed Audi is not looking for a direct replacement, but rather someone who can support him during race weekends.

“For the future, we are not looking for a new team principal. I will keep the role,” Binotto said.

“But I will need someone to support me at the race weekends because I will not be always at the race weekends myself.

“I need to focus most at the factory, where there is the most to transform. Not only to develop, to transform, so certainly a support at race weekend is important.”

Asked if many changes were made to Audi’s operation at Suzuka, Binotto responded: “No. If you look from the outside the team is structurally organised and it’s not the individuals that will make the difference.”

Audi missed out on points in Japan as Nico Hulkenberg took 11th, two places ahead of team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto in 13th.

Former Ferrari team boss Binotto praised his side for how it handled the weekend in the wake of Wheatley’s exit.

“The team has remained focused and concentrated this weekend and operationally, the team has performed very well and we can be pleased, showing it is not about an individual, it’s about the team,” he explained.

“So I will not be concerned for the future, because of individuals.

“If you look at team performance, again it has been a great team performance. We had great pit stops and from the pit wall I would say, generally speaking, well managed.”

Wheatley, who will have to serve a period of gardening leave before he joins a rival F1 team, has been heavily linked with the team principal role at Aston Martin.

Speaking to F1.com, Binotto admitted the news had taken the entire Audi operation by surprise.

"It has been very fast, very unexpected for the entire team," Binotto said. "It has been really a sudden departure, a sudden change.

"I don't think there is much we can say. He has spoken to our CEO, the board of the team, mentioning that he couldn't commit to the long term for private reasons that we cannot judge or comment on.

"We decided as Audi, given that he couldn't commit, to release him from duties. I don't think that as a team we have realised it yet.

"When such changes are happening, big changes, you certainly first need to realise and to understand the impact and organise yourself."