Jonathan Wheatley could now start as Aston Martin team principal from the Dutch Grand Prix

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Jonathan Wheatley shocked the Formula 1 paddock with his sudden decision to join Aston Martin from Audi, and he could be set to start with the team at Zandvoort.

Amid the crisis with Honda and the AMR26 being unreliable and outright dangerous to drive, Aston Martin are looking to replace Adrian Newey as team principal, with the legendary engineer being given too much responsibility at the team.

Newey’s outburst about Honda in Melbourne showed Lawrence Stroll that he was not equipped to lead Aston Martin, hence the need for a replacement. The 67-year-old will be moved back to his technical role as they plot a move for Audi’s boss.

Audi confirm Jonathan Wheatley’s exit – Who should take over as their team principal?

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Wheatley is set to join Aston Martin as team principal, having not been in the job at Audi for more than a year. It is believed that personal reasons are behind the decision, with a desire to move back to the UK from Switzerland.

There are also reports that Wheatley clashed with Mattia Binotto behind the scenes, leading to his exit. Now, there is the question of when the Brit will be able to start his new role at Aston Martin.

Jonathan Wheatley could now join Aston Martin from the Dutch Grand Prix

Wheatley’s gardening leave at Audi will be an issue for Aston Martin, with reports suggesting that he may not be able to start until 2027. However, journalist Nelson Valkenburg believes it could be earlier than that.

Speaking on Nailing The Apex, he thinks that Wheatley could be in his post at Silverstone by the Dutch Grand Prix in August.

“I think gardening leave is up to the former employer,” he said. “It could be that Audi just says: ‘OK, it is of mutual benefit to get this done cleanly, quickly’.

“Wheatley could start very early on. If the gardening leave is enforced, I believe it could be all the way up to the Dutch Grand Prix, until he actually can start there.

“I would imagine, with the swiftness in how Audi has acted around the situation with Wheatley, that there has been discussions there on gardening leave as well, that must have been part of the discussion.”

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Jonathan Wheatley took ‘too much spotlight’ from Mattia Binotto at Audi

The conflict between Wheatley and Binotto at Audi appears to be a key reason for the former’s departure. It has even been suggested that Binotto did not want Wheatley at all, as his signing was not ‘coordinated’ with him.

Valkenburg has heard that the Brit took ‘too much spotlight’ from Binotto at Audi. The Swiss engineer has not been someone to enjoy the fame with F1.

“I think he is one of those people that is not in F1 to be famous and doesn’t need to see himself plastered on every newspaper,” he said.

“On the other hand, we did hear that there was some contention that Wheatley took too much of the spotlight. He is only human, but he’s not the greatest at the media part.”