Following Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden exit, Juan Pablo Montoya has publicly called on Audi to appoint Christian Horner as its next permanent team principal, saying Horner’s long record of success at Red Bull makes him the best person for the job.
Wheatley’s departure has left Audi without a long-term leader on the pit wall. Mattia Binotto is serving as interim team principal. Montoya says he doubts Binotto wants the position on a permanent basis. He argues the project needs clarity fast so the team can plan with confidence.
Montoya points to Horner’s body of work as the model Audi should seek. He says people “underestimate” what Horner built and sustained over more than 20 years at Red Bull. Under Horner, Red Bull won multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Montoya believes that record shows Horner can manage staff, guide development paths, and hold a high level of performance over many seasons.
Horner is reportedly seeking a return to Formula 1 after leaving Red Bull. He has been linked with other teams and is not in a role today. That status makes him a natural candidate for Audi, which now faces an open seat at the top of its organization. Montoya says the timing aligns. The vacancy is clear, and Horner brings a profile that blends sporting success with stable leadership.
For Montoya, the choice sets the tone for the whole program. He frames it as a decision between a short-term caretaker and a long-term builder. A caretaker can run operations day to day. A leader with Horner’s track record can bring order, set standards, and carry plans through several seasons. Montoya says that kind of continuity helps engineers, drivers, and partners pull in the same direction.
Audi’s next move will show what it values most at this stage of its Formula 1 effort. Hiring an interim figure on a rolling basis would suggest a focus on getting through the next races while options remain open. Moving for Horner would signal a push to lock in a structure that can weather form swings and staff changes. Montoya is clear about where he stands. He says the project needs a steady hand who has won at the highest level, and that Horner fits that need.
Audi has not announced a timeline for naming a permanent team principal. Binotto remains in place while the search continues.