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Martin Brundle believes Jonathan Wheatley’s arrival at Aston Martin can help them turn things around.
With Jonathan Wheatley leaving Audi a few weeks ago, the expectation is that he will join Aston Martin as team principal very soon.
Wheatley reportedly left out of unhappiness in Switzerland, as his family struggled to acclimate to the country.
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!
Aston Martin reportedly leaked Wheatley’s desire to leave in the hopes that Audi would agree to let him go, freeing him up to take over at Aston Martin.
But with the myriad of issues Aston Martin are dealing with, it’s hard to see Jonathan Wheatley turning things around in short order.
READ MORE: David Coulthard warns Aston Martin staff Jonathan Wheatley isn’t as ‘cuddly’ as he seems
Martin Brundle claims Jonathan Wheatley can help resolve Aston Martin ‘nightmare’
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 show, Martin Brundle spoke about Jonathan Wheatley potentially coming in as their new team principal.
Brundle noted that Wheatley can help them turn things around, even with the disastrous start to the season they’ve had so far.
“That’s painful, isn’t it? That’s salt in the wounds. It’s a nightmare, whichever way you look at it. They’ve got neither speed nor reliability… It’s going to be very difficult to turn that around in the time, and they’ve got to work out what to do first.
“They’ve got to get the right people in, Honda have got to get the right direction. It’s not going to improve until 2027. It’s a horror show, and we’re just going to have to observe that pain.
“They’ve had such a revolving door of management at Aston Martin. Some curious decisions they’ve taken about who does what and who is in charge. Really curious. I’m going to assume yes (it will help)…
“I don’t think he would’ve abandoned the Audi project and moving the family to Switzerland and all of that lightly. So let’s assume, when they’ve got through the negotiations, the gardening leave that he will end up at Aston Martin.
“Adrian Newey knows him incredibly well from the Red Bull days. I think Jonathan’s pragmatism and hands-on approach would glue some things together. I think it would be a smart move… Maybe moving back to the UK appeals to him.
“But that’s a curious one. I didn’t see that one coming from Jonathan if I’m honest. Although I was told twice in Melbourne that it was going to happen, actually. I hadn’t seen it coming on. Jonathan would be a good catch for them, but they need to settle down…”
READ MORE: F1 rivals question how Aston Martin are not breaking rules amid their Jonathan Wheatley interest
Lance Stroll says they’re having “own little Aston Martin championship” 🏆
But what do you think should earn or lose them points?
Martin Brundle shuts down Christian Horner to Aston Martin rumours
When asked if both Jonathan Wheatley and Adrian Newey could be reunited with Christian Horner at Aston Martin, Martin Brundle explained why that was unlikely.
“To Aston Martin? I doubt it. He wants a slice of a team that he goes to… Christian might be picking up some shares somewhere in one of the teams a bit more cheaply down the road. It think he’ll wait and get the right situation.”
Despite the links to Wheatley, Lawrence Stroll is still in contact with Christian Horner, and could look to bring him in.
If he has no interest in working together again, Wheatley must negotiate a clause to keep Horner away from Aston Martin.
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