Red Bull’s challenges are far from over. Following their triumphant performance over the past three seasons, the Milton Keynes-based team began the 2024 season with high hopes for continued dominance. Initially, everything seemed on track until internal conflicts within the team started to disrupt their progress. The situation took a more troubling turn when the team leader faced allegations of sexual misconduct from a female colleague.
This turmoil triggered a series of departures among key personnel. The most significant exit of the 2024 season was Adrian Newey, a crucial figure behind Red Bull’s achievements. Although the team managed to manage some of the fallout, the departure of another key figure reignited the controversy surrounding the team. Thus, the F1 pundits have deciphered the aftermath of this move.
How Will Verstappen React To Wheatley’s Departure
In a recent development in Formula 1, Audi has secured Jonathan Wheatley to head their team for the 2025 season. This multi-year agreement will mark the end of Wheatley’s nearly two-decade tenure with Red Bull. Therefore, Edd Straw and Scott Mitchell-Malm recently discussed the impact of Jonathan Wheatley’s departure from Red Bull on The Race F1 Podcast. Mitchell-Malm highlighted that Red Bull is experiencing significant losses, with key figures such as Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall, and Dan Fallows all having left or moved to other teams. Wheatley’s exit adds to this trend, weakening Red Bull while strengthening rival teams.
Mitchell-Malm noted that Wheatley’s senior position means his departure could lead to additional staff leaving Red Bull for Audi. His influence and the connections he has made suggest that more individuals might follow him to Audi, further affecting Red Bull’s capabilities and competitiveness. On the other hand, Edd Straw has pointed out that the recent departures at Red Bull are likely causing concern within Max Verstappen’s camp. Verstappen may not view the team’s ongoing losses positively, which could potentially influence his future decisions.
Straw expressed doubts about the implications of these changes for Red Bull, especially as the team faces mounting challenges and scrutiny from competitors like Mercedes. He suggested that if the trend of losing key personnel continues, Verstappen might consider moving away from Red Bull. The situation appears to be a growing concern for the team, as it faces internal issues and external pressures.
The Positive Side Of The Entire Conundrum
Further, Scott Mitchell-Malm highlighted that while Jonathan Wheatley’s departure from Red Bull could be seen as a setback, it also has potential benefits for the team. Wheatley, having held a high-ranking position for nearly two decades, was likely a significant financial commitment for the organization. With his move, Red Bull will free up a substantial portion of its salary budget.
Mitchell-Malm noted that Wheatley was once considered a candidate for the team principal role, particularly when Christian Horner’s position was scrutinized earlier in the year. However, with Horner’s position now secured, Wheatley’s exit opens opportunities for new talent to join Red Bull. While it may not be possible to replace Wheatley immediately with someone of equal impact, the team could eventually find someone who can closely match his contributions and bring new strengths to the organization.