Audi appoints Allan McNish as Racing Director after Wheatley exit

Audi has appointed former Formula 1 driver and longtime brand ambassador Allan McNish to the crucial role of Racing Director, filling the senior trackside leadership void left by Jonathan Wheatley's departure. McNish will report directly to CEO and Team Principal Mattia Binotto, focusing on optimizing all race operations as the team builds towards its full factory entry in 2026.

Why it matters:

This appointment stabilizes Audi's trackside leadership at a pivotal moment, placing a trusted and experienced figure with deep ties to the brand in a key performance role. With the team currently sitting on just two points this season, effective race-day execution is critical for building momentum and credibility ahead of its major 2026 regulatory overhaul.

The details:

• McNish steps into a role similar to the one vacated by Jonathan Wheatley, who left his position as team principal earlier this year.
• He will oversee all trackside operations and performance-related areas, connecting sporting operations with the team's driver development programme, which he will continue to lead.
• Proven Audi Pedigree: McNish is a brand stalwart, having achieved major success as an Audi factory driver including two 24 Hours of Le Mans wins and a World Endurance Championship title in 2013.
• Management Experience: Since retiring from driving, he has held various leadership roles within Audi Sport, most recently as Director of Motorsport Co-ordination, and previously served as team principal for Audi's Formula E team.

What's next:

McNish will begin his new trackside duties at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. His immediate focus will be on elevating the team's weekend performance and operational efficiency. This move consolidates Binotto's management structure as Audi continues its long-term preparation to become a full-fledged works team, with McNish's experience seen as a key building block for future success.

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