Jonathan Wheatley ‘favourite’ for Aston Martin team principal role as he already wants out from Audi

Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley is emerging as a candidate to replace Adrian Newey at Aston Martin, according to reports.

After a dismal start to the 2026 season, plagued by severe vibrations in the car and unreliability, Aston Martin are already planning internal changes. Lawrence Stroll is looking to replace Newey as team principal.

The 67-year-old engineer was announced to be replacing Andy Cowell in November 2025, but it has since emerged from journalist Mat Coch that he is technically a ‘caretaker team principal’. He has been searching for his replacement for months.

Is Lawrence Stroll giving Adrian Newey TOO MUCH responsibility ahead of 2026?

“Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year. He’s focussed on building a world-class team and getting them to work well together, as well as fostering a culture that puts the race car back at the heart of what we do.

“This leadership change is a mutual decision we have reached in the interest of the Team. We all look forward to continuing working with him in his new capacity as Chief Strategy Officer.

“I’m also pleased that Adrian Newey will step into the Team Principal role, which will enable him to make full use of his creative and technical expertise. Both these changes will ensure the Team is best placed to play to their collective strengths.”
Lawrence Stroll on Adrian Newey becoming Aston Martin team principal in 2026

Newey oversaw the development of the AMR26, but drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have yet to finish a Grand Prix in 2026. David Croft fears Aston Martin have ‘overloaded’ Newey by giving him too much responsibility.

That theory would add up as the Brit is now looking to find a permanent replacement. Several candidates have been approached, including Wheatley.

Sauber Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley. — Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images

Jonathan Wheatley ‘wants out’ of Switzerland as he receives offer from Aston Martin

A report from Planet F1 details the options that Aston Martin are considering for the role. Gianpiero Lambiase and Mattia Binotto have already turned down Newey, while Martin Whitmarsh has likely done the same after retiring from F1 in 2024.

According to Coch via X (formerly Twitter), Audi boss Wheatley and former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl are ‘favourites’ to take on Newey’s role full-time. The latter is a free agent and therefore more approachable.

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A graphic of Andreas Seidl, Jonathan Wheatley, Gianpiero Lambiase and Christian Horner — Photos by Bryn Lennon / Rudy Carezzevoli / Mark Thompson / Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the former has connections with Newey from his time at Red Bull. There are ‘suggestions’ that Wheatley, who started at the team in April 2025, ‘wants out’ of Switzerland for ‘personal reasons’, with Audi taking over Sauber’s Hinwil base after they entered F1.

But as Coch notes, if a deal were to happen, a ‘lengthy gardening leave’ is likely, which could get in the way. Furthermore, Planet F1 report that Wheatley is ‘very happy’ with his Audi role and is yet to address Aston Martin’s offer.

However, ‘sources’ have indicated that ‘personal life considerations’ could lead to a return to the UK. Aston Martin will need an answer soon to fix their desperate situation.

Aston Martin mechanics work on Fernando Alonso's car in the garage — Photo by Marcel van Dorst / EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Adrian Newey and Honda are doing everything to solve Aston Martin’s woes

With no race finishes in the opening two Grand Prix, Aston Martin need to act fast to solve their issues with the car. At the moment, things are not looking good.

The FIA could ask Honda to turn their engines down over concerns for driver safety. Alonso was seen taking his hands off the steering wheel in Shanghai because of the vibrations.

Should the FIA allow Aston Martin to race in these conditions?

Fernando Alonso repeatedly took his hands off the wheel during the Chinese GP for a break from the vibrations

Watch the onboard of Fernando Alonso as he's forced to let go of his steering wheel multiple times as vibrations continue to cause him discomfort 😳 pic.twitter.com/GUYsfRrHix
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 16, 2026

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Newey and Honda are working tirelessly behind the scenes to fix the situation. Honda are diverting funds from other motorsport departments to help with the cost of their F1 power units.

There could be a silver lining, however, as the cost cap is not affected by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s cancellations. This is brilliant for Newey as he has more money to spend per race on improving the car and a new team principal will also take some much-needed weight off him.

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