Audi Team Principal Wheatley shares his hopes for Felbermayr’s second F1 ACADEMY campaign

Audi Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley is optimistic that Emma Felbermayr’s growth can propel her to the front of the F1 ACADEMY field in 2026.

Taking over from the Kick Sauber team as a works squad in Formula 1, Audi opted to retain Felbermayr after her rookie campaign showed plenty of potential. Scoring six points finishes, including a maiden win in Montreal Race 2, the Austrian driver finished 10th in the Standings in her debut year in single-seaters.

That victory was particular poignant for Wheatley. After contributing to eight World Constructors’ Championships as a mechanic, chief mechanic, Team Manager and Sporting Director, Felbermayr’s dramatic win was his first taste of silverware as a Team Principal.

“I have to talk very personally about it,” he told F1 ACADEMY at the Autosport Awards. “Emma’s win in Canada was one of the most extraordinary moments and I felt oddly emotional about it.

“I've been involved in over 154 Grand Prix victories but I felt so happy for her. I think just seeing the sport growing and growing and growing all the time. I can't wait to see the car in the new livery and I can't wait to see Emma in the new Audi uniform.”

Audi brings with it a rich legacy of supporting trailblazing female drivers, such as the legendary Michèle Mouton in the World Rally Championship and sportscar titan Rahel Frey.

The team are also furthering their support of young up-and-coming talent with the newly-established Audi Driver Development Programme, led by former F1 driver Allan McNish. Welcome into the programme alongside Formula 3 racer Freddie Slater, Wheatley is confident that it can provide Felbermayr with the tools to succeed this season.

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“It's interesting you say that because there's some news coming out soon, which I'm not going to ruin in front of you now,” he noted. “Also, we learned a lot of lessons last year about how better to support drivers as they come through and find themselves at the cutting edge of competition, which they do in F1 ACADEMY.”