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Jonathan Wheatley’s previous comments show that he can recognise and solve every cause for concern within Aston Martin’s hierarchy.
Jonathan Wheatley is set to join Aston Martin as their new team principal, departing his role with Audi to take over at Silverstone.
Wheatley may be moving to return home to England after a relatively positive tenure in Switzerland with Audi over the last few years.
Is Jonathan Wheatley the right man to get Aston Martin back on track in 2026?
What was your immediate reaction to the news? Let us know in the comments below!
There has been some concern that Wheatley is ignoring Aston Martin’s massive issues to accept this move in short order.
However, his comments about how he wants to run his team from a few months ago show that Jonathan Wheatley is the perfect man to take the reins at Aston Martin.
READ MORE: Fernando Alonso has already left Jonathan Wheatley ‘astounded’ before Aston Martin move
Jonathan Wheatley will look to re-establish ‘power of the team’ within Aston Martin
In an interview with the Financial Times in December of last year, Jonathan Wheatley reflected on his season with Audi in his role as Team Principal.
When discussing his approach to being a team principal, Wheatley echoed his staunch belief in the proper hierarchy of a team with defined roles.
“At my core, I’ve always believed in the power of a team — to focus a group in the same direction, feeling they understand exactly what their role is, what they can and cannot do, when they have to step up, what the communications are like in the team.”
Given how much concern there has been within the team that Aston Martin were asking too much of Adrian Newey, Wheatley’s previous comments will have a reassuring effect.
If Wheatley can come and identify where the team is going wrong in identifying roles and responsibilities, it could help alleviate a lot of the structural issues the team are facing as of now.
READ MORE: Aston Martin told why Adrian Newey was not a ‘bad choice’ as Lawrence Stroll eyes new team principal
Audi confirm Jonathan Wheatley’s exit – Who should take over as their team principal?
Jonathan Wheatley must immediately address internal Aston Martin issues
Every aspect of running a team that Wheatley mentioned in the interview is something he has to address when he takes charge at Aston Martin.
Perhaps most important is communication. Adrian Newey’s criticism of Honda has strained their relationship with the Japanese suppliers.
On top of that, the ambiguity over the roles of Newey, Mike Krack, and Andy Cowell has brought about a level of uncertainty that has caused some of the problems they are facing.
Wheatley has the right approach. But he needs to back up his approach with immediate action as he takes over at Aston Martin.
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