After having noted the departure of its emblematic chief designer Adrian Newey, the Red Bull team could soon see the departure of another well-known figure…
If Red Bull Racing’s domination on the track is total or almost total at the start of the 2024 F1 season, its internal dissensions continue to animate the Formula 1 paddock.
After the departure of its chief designer Adrian Newey, the Austrian team could soon see another leading figure leave in the person of Jonathan Wheatley.
The historic sporting director of Red Bull, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is no longer fulfilled in his role and is considering leaving the Milton Keynes factory.
According to the Times, Wheatley – the man who made Red Bull the fastest team at pit stops – is aiming for a position as team principal. With Christian Horner’s place no longer threatened at Red Bull Racing, the Briton would have submitted his CV to several competing teams.
The team that would particularly hold the rope is none other than Alpine, with whom discussions are at an advanced stage. With his wealth of experience, Wheatley could take Bruno Famin’s place as the Blues’ team principal, a position Famin inherited by default last year following the departure of Otmar Szafnauer.
One thing is certain, Red Bull Racing is in no danger of seeing its technical director leave the competition. The Frenchman Pierre Wache, true architect of the RB20, recently renewed his contract for several years. Just like Enrico Balbo, head of aerodynamics, and Ben Waterhouse, head of performance engineering.
