Audi outline distinctive F1 approach as debut season looms

Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley has detailed his team is taking a “humble” approach as it prepares for its debut next season. 

The German manufacturer will enter F1 for the first time as its own team and power unit, taking over the Sauber-run Stake squad for the sport's new era under fresh technical regulations.

Wheatley has taken on a leadership role within the team following his departure from Red Bull and is now working in tandem with former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto to run the project.

Stake, who previously competed under the Alfa Romeo moniker, has endured a difficult run of results across the last handful of years.

However, Wheatley is confident its form can be turned around under a new direction and a fresh start as Audi.

“Everything is possible,” he told the Beyond The Grid podcast. 

“I like the way Mattia puts things. Where people might describe a challenge, he describes it as an opportunity.

“And I suspect there's going to be many, many opportunities where we can prove ourselves over 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. It’s a long journey.

“Our approach is humble. We have a huge amount of respect for the competitors we're up against, and we're doing everything we can to enter at the right level.”

Wheatley explains Binotto Audi role

The Audi project does not mark the first time Wheatley and Binotto have worked together, with Red Bull and Ferrari sharing a technical partnership almost 20 years ago.

With Binotto holding the role of chief technical and chief commercial officer, Wheatley explained the differing responsibilities both hold at Audi.

“Mattia and I, we've known each other for a really long time,” Wheatley said. “Some people may remember that Red Bull had Ferrari engines in 2006.

“That’s when I first that's when I first met Mattia. He was in charge of the engine program there, and we got on brilliantly

“Our relationship is super easy. I just don't think we're vastly interested in the areas of the business that each of us are specialised in.

“Mattia’s job is a big one. It's really important. He's overall responsible for bringing chassis and powertrain together, creating the ultimate Audi F1 car.

“My job, when it leaves the factory, my team and I take responsibility for it there. We run it at the racetrack, my role is more commercial, communications and the race operations.”