McLaren sticks with Stella, Wheatley leaves Red Bull

Having helped McLaren back to the top step, Andrea Stella has been granted a multi-year extension, while Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley is off to Audi.

Since taking over McLaren following the departure of Andreas Seidl at the end of 2022, McLaren has risen from being one of the slowest cars on the grid at Bahrain 2023 to arguably being the fastest.

In that time McLaren has steadily risen up the ranks through well-executed upgrades to take 20 podiums, headlined by two wins this year.

Both exciting Aussie talent Oscar Piastri and established Brit Lando Norris have taken maiden wins of their own.

The team’s acceleration has been so strong it now holds ambitions of the once unthinkable target of beating Red Bull in the constructors championship.

Being a calm and steady presence at the top has been Stella, who is determined to continue the trajectory.

“It’s a privilege to be part of the McLaren Formula 1 team, and I am honoured to continue in my role as team principal,” Stella said.

“We’ve made great strides forward in the past year and a half and we still have a lot more work to do to consistently fight at the front of the grid, which poses an exciting challenge.

“Success comes through the team working in synergy, and I am enjoying my role, which has allowed me to help unlock individual talent and empower people to work together towards our team’s objectives.

“My thanks go to Zak (Brown, McLaren CEO) for his confidence in me as a leader, to my entire leadership team and all my colleagues in the team, for their continued collaboration and support.

“I am excited for what we can continue to achieve together.”

Stella’s commitment continues the short-term stability at McLaren with both Norris and Piastri also extending their contracts recently.

“I am delighted to confirm we have extended Andrea’s contract as our F1 team principal for multiple years,” Brown said.

“His excellent leadership, expertise and the respect he holds within the team and Formula 1 means we could not have a better person in place to continue the pursuit of consistently fighting at the front of the grid.

“His impact on McLaren F1 in his role as team principal has been profound, not only through our results on track and the trajectory of the team but also in his development of our culture and mindset.

“With multi-year extensions already agreed with Lando, Oscar, and now Andrea, we can confidently continue on our quest to become world champions.

“We’re all looking forward to the years to come under Andrea’s leadership.”

Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley walk through the Austin paddock in 2022. Photo by Mark Sutton / Sutton Images

Meanwhile Red Bull has lost one of its most senior figures in Wheatley.

He had joined Red Bull in just its second season in 2006 and performed the key role of sporting director for the entirety of the team’s success.

Some reports have suggested Wheatley had ambitions of being Red Bull team principal after Christian Horner.

Whilst that opportunity did not arrive at Red Bull, it has at Audi.

After a period of gardening leave that ends in July 2025, Wheatley will become the team principal of Audi, which joins the sport and takes over Sauber in 2026.

He will be part of a “dual management” structure alongside COO and CTO Mattia Binotto following the departure of Seidl.

“I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories,” Wheatley said.

“However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect and I am looking forward to the challenge.

“Also I am glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project.”

The pair will report to Audi CEO Gernot Dollner, who believes they are the right men to steer the ship.

“I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as team principal for our future Formula 1 team,” said Dollner.

“Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and world championship titles in his career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock, so he is a very valuable addition to our team.

“With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula 1.

“I am convinced that with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi.

“Their experience and their ability will help us to get a foothold quickly in the tough competitive world of Formula 1.”

Horner thanked Wheatley for his service having also lost tech wizard Adrian Newey.

“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” said Horner.

“His contribution to six world constructors’ titles and seven world drivers’ championship, first as team manager and latterly sporting director will forever be a marker in our team history.”

Photo by Francois Tremblay / Sutton Images

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