Audi not planning direct replacement for departed Wheatley

Mattia Binotto says Audi will not directly replace Jonathan Wheatley with a new team principal, but that he needs trackside support.

Wheatley made a surprising departure from Audi prior to the Japanese Grand Prix, amid links to Aston Martin. Binotto confirmed ahead of the race weekend at Suzuka that the news had come as a shock to the team, as Wheatley stated he could not commit long-term for private reasons. With the Italian taking on responsibilities for the previous race, Binotto says he will retain the team principal role himself, but with a need for support at certain race weekends.

“Before I come to what’s the plan for the future, I have to say that the team has remained very focused and concentrated [since the news],” Binotto said. “And operationally, the team has performed very well [in Japan], and we can be pleased, showing that at the end it's not about an individual, it's about the team.

“What's counted the most is the team, so I would not be concerned for the future because of individuals. If you look at the overall 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, it was well-managed.

“For the future, I think we are not looking for a new team principal. I will keep the role, but I will need someone to support me at the race weekends because I will not always be at the race weekends myself.

“I need to focus most at the factory, where there is the most to transform, I would say - not only to develop, but to transform - so certainly a support at the race weekend is required.”

Binotto – who has previously been team principal at Ferrari prior to joining as the head of the Audi F1 project – says the team showed no impact due to the change in team principal during the race weekend in Japan.

“No if you look from the outside operationally, the team and its structure is organized,” he said. “It’s not the individual that will make the difference, I cannot deserve [credit] myself or someone else - the team will be capable.”