Audi's 'fundamentally wrong' approach faces criticism from former F1 boss
Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan has said that German manufacturer Audi are making a mistake by running their operations from Hinwil, Switzerland, instead of the UK. The German automobile giants had announced that they would enter the sport as an engine manufacturer and then as a works team after they completely acquire the Kick Sauber F1 team at the end of 2025.
Audi have become more involved in managing the team since the beginning of the 2024 season. But the performances and results of Sauber have led Audi into a muddle and facing criticism from all quarters.
On his Formula for Success podcast, Jordan spoke about the 'fundamental' mistake made by Audi while running the team:
"The suppliers in the region (UK) understand the complexities and the timeframes that people are on there. Whereas, you know, you go out and you order a piece of machinery to be done in Switzerland. They will give you a timeline of maybe needing four days, four weeks, four months, and there’s nothing you can do.
“Whereas if you’re in the UK, you would just sit on top of that supplier and say, ‘If you don’t do this, you just don’t get any more work. So you better drop everything and do it.’ And they work night and day to get it done. So that’s the philosophy that there is a racing culture; it’s in the DNA, and I think what Audi are doing is fundamentally wrong.”
Red Bull key member to join Audi F1 project from 2025
Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will join the Aidi F1 project as their team principal from the 2025 season.
Wheatley has been a key figure behind the world champions' success from the beginning and contributed as a team manager and later as sporting director. As per F1.com, Audi AG CEO Gernot Dollner said of the appointment:
"I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal for our future Formula 1 team.
"Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and World Championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team."
Wheatley will continue his role as sporting director at Red Bull until the end of the 2024 season and join Audi after his gardening leave in July 2025.
Audi has faced significant changes in their organizational leadership over the past couple of weeks. They announced replacing Andrea Seidl, CEO of the F1 project, with former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, who will take the role of COO and CTO.
Oliver Hoffmann, previously chairman of the boards of all Sauber companies, has also been removed from his role.