Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull's sporting director for 18 years, will leave the team at the end of the current season to become the team principal at Audi, which is set to enter Formula 1 in 2026. His departure follows a management reshuffle at Audi, where Mattia Binotto has taken over as CEO. Wheatley has been instrumental in Red Bull's success, contributing to six Constructors' titles and seven Drivers' championships, and his exit poses a significant challenge for the team as they prepare for the future. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expressed gratitude for Wheatley's long tenure, indicating that the team would announce a new structure in the coming weeks. Additionally, Red Bull's chief technical officer Adrian Newey is also set to depart, highlighting a period of transition for the reigning champions. The team will implement a gardening leave for Wheatley to prevent any transfer of sensitive information to Audi.