It has been said that time waits for no man, and Ex-Red Bull star Jonathan Wheatley knows that better than most.
It’s hard not to wonder what must have gone through Jonathan Wheatley’s mind when news broke on Wednesday morning that Christian Horner had been sacked from Red Bull with immediate effect. For Wheatley, it may have stirred thoughts of a path not taken—one that could have seen him rise to the very top of the Formula 1 team he once called home.
Exactly one year ago, Wheatley made headlines by stepping down as Red Bull Racing’s long-serving Sporting Director. He left behind a hugely successful stint at Milton Keynes to accept a high-profile position with Sauber, ahead of its rebranding to Audi in 2026. At the time, the move was seen as ambitious, forward-thinking—and likely too good to pass up. But now, with Horner’s shock departure finally a reality after months of internal tension and controversy, it’s natural to ask: did Wheatley ever briefly question his timing?
Hindsight always brings clarity, and while Wheatley is by no means expected to be dissatisfied with his new venture, the timing of Horner’s exit must have at least triggered some curiosity. If he had remained at Red Bull just a little longer, Wheatley might have been perfectly positioned to take over the team principal role.
Fallout and Fractures at Red Bull
The backdrop to all this was a turbulent period for Red Bull Racing. Rumors of misconduct swirled around Christian Horner for much of early 2024, casting a long shadow over the team. Though an internal investigation ultimately cleared him, the episode clearly strained relationships behind the scenes. Key staff reportedly felt unsettled, and morale dipped as speculation about Horner’s future refused to die down.
Wheatley’s exit during this climate wasn’t entirely surprising. Some within the sport interpreted his departure as a quiet but deliberate move away from a situation he no longer wanted to be part of. While Horner clung to his position through the first half of 2024, it always seemed as though his days were numbered. If things had unfolded slightly differently, Wheatley might have been tapped to fill the void. In fact, there were whispers that he wouldn’t have hesitated to take on the job.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, even confirmed that ambition in an interview last year. “Jonathan Wheatley was a very important part of the team,” Marko said on the *Inside Line* podcast. “But he’s now in his mid-50s… He wanted a more demanding role, and unfortunately for us, the Audi offer came along, which we couldn’t match in either position or money.”
A New Challenge at Audi
There’s no indication that Wheatley regrets his decision. Far from it. He is currently spearheading a major transformation at Audi, helping to shape the team’s entry into Formula 1 as a full works outfit in 2026. That alone is a once-in-a-career opportunity—and precisely the kind of project that ambitious leaders crave.
His current team recently enjoyed a morale-boosting success at Silverstone, with Nico Hülkenberg securing a surprise podium finish—an early reward for the groundwork Wheatley is laying. It’s a sign that his move is already bearing fruit and positioning Audi as a future contender.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore what could have been. The chance to lead Red Bull Racing—a multiple championship-winning juggernaut—doesn’t come around often. Wheatley’s familiarity with the team, its operations, and personnel would have made him a natural fit for the job.
Instead, the position has gone to Laurent Mekies, formerly of Racing Bulls. He now inherits a Red Bull team in decline: their constructor dominance is under serious threat from a resurgent McLaren, and Max Verstappen is no longer a lock for the drivers’ title. The once all-conquering outfit suddenly finds itself playing catch-up.
Could a Return Still Happen?
It’s far too early to suggest Wheatley would ever consider returning to Red Bull, let alone be offered the opportunity. But should Mekies struggle to revive the team’s fortunes, the idea might not seem so far-fetched in 2026 or beyond.
However, that depends on many variables—including whether Wheatley would even be interested by then. By that time, he may be firmly entrenched in Audi’s project and on the cusp of building something entirely new and equally rewarding.
For now, the door may be closed. But in Formula 1, things change fast—and people have come back from further afield than this.
