Horner, Seidl, Steiner, Szafnauer: Audi's Four-Name Principal Shortlist
Formula 1

Horner, Seidl, Steiner, Szafnauer: Audi's Four-Name Principal Shortlist

19 Apr 2026 2 min readBy F1 News Desk (AI-assisted)

Mattia Binotto's search for an Audi F1 team principal has narrowed to four experienced candidates after Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden exit, according to paddock sources.

Key Takeaways

  • 1."Audi will be looking for a new team principal so that they can run the team and he can go back to focusing on the factory work," he said.
  • 2.On Wheatley's exit: "Jonathan Wheatley leaving was very fast, very unexpected.
  • 3.Apparently it was for personal reasons that they can't comment on." Horner is the headline candidate.

Audi's F1 programme was not supposed to need a new team principal twelve months in, but Jonathan Wheatley's abrupt departure has forced Mattia Binotto into a fast-tracked search. The candidate list, according to commentator Sachin Jha, is already down to four familiar names: Christian Horner, Andreas Seidl, Gunther Steiner and Otmar Szafnauer.

Binotto has been transparent about the reasoning. "Audi will be looking for a new team principal so that they can run the team and he can go back to focusing on the factory work," he said. On Wheatley's exit: "Jonathan Wheatley leaving was very fast, very unexpected. Jonathan spoke to the CEO, the board of Audi, and told him that he couldn't commit to the team long-term anymore. Apparently it was for personal reasons that they can't comment on."

Horner is the headline candidate. Jha calls him the most experienced option available, citing his 20 years at Red Bull and six Constructors' titles. The move, however, would mean relocating to Hinwil and managing the political weight of his Red Bull history.

Seidl is the internal favourite. He laid much of the groundwork for the Audi project before being displaced in a boardroom shuffle — the return of a well-known and trusted operator.

Steiner is the wildcard. He is close to Binotto personally and has proven experience building an F1 team from scratch. The obstacle is a fresh MotoGP commitment that he only just signed.

Szafnauer completes the list. His recent Formula 2 role suggested to Jha that an F1 return would be welcome, with 25 years of experience across multiple teams to offer.

The alternative scenario — Binotto himself jumping to Aston Martin — has already drawn angry reactions. "Shame on you," the Drive Thru Penalty host said, warning against abandoning Audi's project for a rival. His longer-term call: "In the year 2030, Audi will be ahead of Aston Martin in the standings because Audi has a tremendous pedigree when it comes to auto racing."

For now Audi leads Aston Martin on points despite its first-year status — a reminder that the hiring decision Binotto makes next will define whether that advantage compounds or stalls.