Nearly a month into the 2026 Formula 1 season, things have been anything but predictable. One of the many signs of unpredictability came earlier last week, ahead of the 2026 Japanese GP — Audi F1 Team principal Jonathan Wheatley was confirmed to be departing the team, effective immediately, amidst the team’s formative phase.
Multiple rumours surrounding Wheatley’s future implied a new role at Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, where he’ll be replacing Adrian Newey as team principal. However, Wheatley’s future as of now, remains unclear with reports citing personal issues as his reason for leaving Audi.
On Thursday’s media day — ahead of the 2026 Japanese GP — Audi F1 drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto detailed their encounter with Wheatley’s sudden announcement and how they feel about his next chapter.
Hülkenberg: Wheatley’s departure “not a setback” for Audi F1 Team
Nico Hülkenberg revealed that he heard about the news exactly a week ago on Thursday, when his mother caught him off guard between simulator sessions and prep work by informing him of the news through a news article.
“I found out together with the world,” Hülkenberg shared during a print media session.
“I found out on Thursday. Like last week Thursday, you know, when it popped out.”
Continuing, he reminisced on the moment he found out, “Actually, I was in the sim that day and my mom sent me an article. I’m like between runs looking at my phone. I’m like, ‘oh shit’.”
When it was implied that this abrupt shift may be a shake-up for the team, the driver simply stated, “It’s not a setback.”
F1 teams are made up of several different components of people that make it what it is, while his initial shock was real, the driver chose to avoid seeing it as something that hinders the team entirely.
“It’s not a setback. I mean, you know, a Formula One team is made of many people,” he explained, “You know, we need strong people.”
While things may appear rocky on the surface, the Audi driver reassured that integral figures of leadership still remain with the team. Mattia Binotto — head of the Audi F1 project — will take over Wheatley’s role as team principal, but on a temporary basis and oversee team activities.
“But, you know, we have with Mattia, he’s still a leader. It’s not like, you know, we’re without leadership and without structure and without the plan,” Hülkenberg shared. “So, you know, whilst it has changed unexpectedly, everything else is on target.”
Hülkenberg’s focus “goes back to racing” ahead of the 2026 Japanese GP
Hülkenberg alludes to the fact that “every team” experiences phases of personnel change — a nod to the increasingly fluid nature of F1.
In recent years, technical directors, engineers, and senior management have moved between teams with greater frequency, he reiterarted one final time that an F1 team is “bigger than one person,” and while Wheatley was one of the “key players,” things will reamin the same on the operational side of the Audi F1 Team.
Hülkenberg also acknowledged that while change can be disruptive, it is sometimes a necessary response to deeper issues within a team, sharing:
“And there is sometimes these phases. But if there is a problem, a fundamental problem, you know, with one of the central personal leaders of the team, then you have to take action. And obviously here there was a problem.
“I don’t know the exact details, I haven’t really spoken to him in depth yet,” he shared. “But if there’s an issue, you also need to act and react, otherwise that’s no good either.”
Ultimately, his focus remained on the immediate task at hand which was the 2026 Japanese GP this weekend.
“Having said all that, focus goes back to racing, to driving tomorrow, and once this race weekend goes on the way, it’s back to business as usual.”
Bortoleto’s shocked but not surprised about Wheatley’s exit
Where Hülkenberg focused on a more team-focused approach to dealing with these changes, his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto offered a more personal reflection on Wheatley’s departure — he appeared less taken aback, suggesting that the situation had been clearer within the team.
“To be honest I haven’t talked much with him,” Bortoleto revealed. “Just a little chat after the announcement, and yeah he made it public as well.”
While his direct interaction with Wheatley after the announcement had been limited, Bortoleto pointed to personal circumstances as the key reason behind the departure. But, he was also aware that it wasn’t his place to push for further details.
“He couldn’t commit to the project because of personal issues, personal things. I didn’t go into detail with him, exactly what it is. It’s his problems, whatever it is.”
To further his stance surrounding the situation, Brotoleto casually conveyed that he was not surprised.
“I think inside the team we are very clear with this type of things.”
That said, the speed of the situation was still notable. He remained transparent in sharing that the events transpired rather quickly, especially given the timeline of Wheatley’s arrival to the team.
“I’m not going to lie, it happened very quickly. He joined last year.”
Despite the circumstances, the Brazilian remained understanding of Wheatley’s decision, sharing that personal priorites come first no matter what the situaltion is, “When you have personal things to put in place, that’s the priority.”
He shared that while the exact timeline remains unclear, the events transpired pretty quickly behind the scenes from China until their trip to Japan.
“Very similar times comparing to you guys as well. I think everything happened extremely quick after China… it was somewhere between China and here.”
Bortoleto on Wheatley’s impact during his short-lived tenure at Audi ahead of 2026 F1 Japanese GP
Reflecting on their time working together, he was transparent on Wheatley’s positive impact on building the Audi F1 Team from the ground up.
“Yeah, it was good. He was a good team principal inside the team,” Bortoleto reminsiced. “People liked him. He did a very good job in structuring things here.”
He saw Wheatley’s tenure as a formative time he’ll look back on fondly. Sharing that Wheatley helped him boost his confidence as a driver, while teaching him many lessons along the way.
“He was good until it lasted. He spoke very good things about me, so I’m grateful for that. I spent good time with him as well when we were on track and I learned good things.”
To conclude, the driver reminded that it’s the “very early stages” of adapting to changes after Wheatley: “It’s still very early stages as well. It’s the first race we’re going to do that he’s out.”
Even so, Bortoleto closed on a note of goodwill: “I hope the best for him in his future.”
