Jonathan Wheatley may return to Red Bull F1 team instead of joining Aston Martin

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Jonathan Wheatley returning to Red Bull can’t be ruled out despite strong links with Aston Martin. Wheatley has recently left his role as Audi team principal.

Wheatley exited just two races into the Audi era, with multiple factors cited, including a desire to return to the UK and clashes with CEO Mattia Binotto.

It’s thought that Adrian Newey has handpicked Wheatley to relieve him of the team principal role at Aston Martin, which doesn’t suit his skillset. However, no firm agreement has been reached between the two parties.

Jonathan Wheatley’s Aston Martin move is not a foregone conclusion

The Daily Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy reports that Wheatley will ‘possibly’ move to Aston Martin, but says he could ‘perhaps return’ to Red Bull.

Wheatley joined Red Bull in 2006 and became their sporting director in 2018. He was one of the team’s most important pillars during dominant spells for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

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The news comes from Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf

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Wheatley would be taking a risk by joining Aston Martin, and not only because of their dire on-track predicament. Newey clashed with Andy Cowell, the former team principal, so one can envisage a repeat of the tension at Audi.

Red Bull also offer Wheatley, 58, a route back to the UK, though the working environment at Milton Keynes isn’t entirely stable either after a raft of departures in recent times.

While their problems aren’t on the scale as Aston Martin’s, Red Bull are also struggling this season. They have fallen away from their traditional rivals and into the midfield.

Why a return to Red Bull could appeal to Jonathan Wheatley

Wheatley would be joining a very different Red Bull team. Christian Horner was sacked in 2024 and Helmut Marko left at the end of last season.

While his departure wasn’t motivated by grievances against the existing leadership, Wheatley could be more powerful within the new structure, perhaps slotting in just below team principal Laurent Mekies.

Gianpiero Lambiase’s move to McLaren, which has now been confirmed by both parties, intensifies the leadership vacuum at Red Bull. Re-signing Wheatley may send a reassuring message to team staff after a period of upheaval.