Max Verstappen has given his take on the news that Jonathan Wheatley will soon become Team Principal of Audi’s F1 operation, saying he’s “happy” to see his colleague get the opportunity but that Red Bull will “miss” him.
Sporting Director Wheatley has represented Red Bull for almost two decades, playing a key role in the team going from points scorers to race winners and then world champions – more than 100 Grand Prix victories and 13 titles being scored during his time on board.
It marks the latest major change in the Red Bull ranks following Rob Marshall’s move to McLaren and the announcement that technical guru Adrian Newey – whose future plans are yet to be confirmed – will depart in early 2025.
Asked if he was surprised by Wheatley’s move, which will be completed in 2025 following a period of gardening leave, Verstappen said: “I mean, of course, you hear about it even before things get announced.
“At the end of the day, I have a great relationship with Jonathan. It always will be like that, even if, of course, he’s moving to a different team.
“It’s a different opportunity for him and a different role and sometimes, of course, it’s also a bit of a new challenge, right? So, there are no hard feelings or whatever. I’m happy for him that he gets that opportunity.”
Verstappen added: “Of course, he will be missed within the team, but as a team we also have to look at the future and move on from that, and we still have to see how we’re going to fill in all the roles that Jonathan currently has.
“But I’m also happy for him. It goes both ways. The team is, of course, also very thankful for what he has delivered, so there are no hard feelings at all.”
Wheatley’s F1 experience stretches back to the early 1990s, the Briton initially joining Benetton – where he worked with Verstappen’s father, Jos – as a junior mechanic and progressing all the way to chief mechanic with the Enstone operation.
