EXCLUSIVE: Binotto confirms Audi looking for replacement after 'very unexpected' Wheatley departure

Head of Audi F1 project Mattia Binotto has said Jonathan Wheatley's departure as Team Principal was "very unexpected" and, while he will cover the duties in the interim, a replacement will be necessary.

Last week, Audi announced Wheatley was leaving with immediate effect because of personal reasons - with the news coming inside a year of the Briton taking the job having spent two decades at rivals Red Bull.

The German manufacturer now face a restructure after just two Grands Prix as a works manufacturer in Formula 1, having taken over the Sauber operation and built a new facility to produce a debut F1 engine.

"It has been very fast, very unexpected for the entire team," Binotto told F1 in an exclusive interview at Suzuka. "It has been really a sudden departure, a sudden change.

"I don't think there is much we can say. He has spoken to our CEO, the board of the team, mentioning that he couldn't commit to the long term for private reasons that we cannot judge or comment on.

"We decided as Audi, given that he couldn't commit, to release him from duties. I don't think that as a team we have realised it yet. It was just [last week] and now we are here in Japan and we have a race weekend ahead.

"When such changes are happening, big changes, you certainly first need to realise and to understand the impact and organise yourself."

Binotto and Wheatley had been operating a dual leadership structure, with Binotto in charge of the overall project including the chassis and power unit factories while Wheatley ran the race team at track.

Going forward, Binotto said Audi will need to find a replacement to run the team at the track to enable him to focus on the factory work as he looks to build the team into championship contenders by 2030.

"Looking at what his strengths were, the task he was performing - we need to fill the gap," said Binotto. "I can't simply add more and more responsibility and tasks for myself.

"My main focus is at the factory base where we need to transform the team, where we need to develop the car and the powertrain, so I will need someone to support the team here at the race weekend.

"We are considering it. We will organise ourselves and I am pretty sure that very soon we can announce it."

Understandably, Binotto is keen to return the focus to the job in hand and ensuring Audi build on their strong start to life in F1.

"We are focused on the future," he said. "Looking back makes no sense. We are fully focused on what's next. We are committed to our objectives.

"We know exactly what's required. Each single individual in the team is really committed and focused. It's a team effort. It's not about individuals. It's a team effort.

"As a team, we know exactly what's required."