Jonathan Wheatley has stepped down as team principal of Audi’s Formula One project with immediate effect, a move that clears the path for his anticipated appointment at Aston Martin, the German manufacturer confirmed Friday.
The departure, announced after an Audi board meeting, comes less than a year after Wheatley took the helm of the team, formerly known as Sauber. Audi cited “personal reasons” for the sudden change. Mattia Binotto, currently head of the Audi F1 project, will assume the responsibilities of team principal in the interim while a long-term replacement is considered.
Wheatley’s exit is widely understood to be linked to an offer from Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll to lead the team, a position that would see him working alongside managing technical partner Adrian Newey. While Aston Martin has not officially confirmed the appointment, sources indicate a deal is nearing completion.
The move is expected to allow Newey, the pre-eminent designer in Formula One history, to refocus on technical and strategic leadership, areas where he excels. Newey had been fulfilling the role of team principal on a temporary basis following a restructuring that saw Andy Cowell move into a different position, focusing on resolving issues with engine partner Honda.
Aston Martin are currently last in the championship standings after two races, plagued by significant engine reliability problems and performance deficits. Honda’s new engine is experiencing severe vibrations, impacting both battery performance and driver comfort, with Fernando Alonso reporting an inability to sense his hands and feet during the recent Chinese Grand Prix.
Wheatley’s departure marks the third management restructure within Audi’s Formula One project in under two years. He will be required to serve a period of ‘gardening leave’ before joining a rival team, the duration of which will be negotiated between Audi and his future employer.
According to sources, a key factor in Wheatley’s decision was a desire to return to the United Kingdom by the end of the year. Audi are not expected to appoint a direct replacement for Wheatley, instead opting for a structure where Binotto retains overall control while a dedicated individual manages the race team’s operations.
In a statement released Friday, Lawrence Stroll reaffirmed his commitment to Newey, stating, “I would like to reaffirm that Adrian Newey is my partner and an important shareholder. He is AMR’s managing technical partner, and he and I have a true partnership built on a shared vision of success for the company. We do things differently here, and while we don’t currently adopt the traditional team principal role that you see elsewhere – it is by design.”
Stroll also revealed he had met with former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner this week, though sources suggest Newey is opposed to Horner joining Aston Martin. Newey left Red Bull in April 2024 following a breakdown in his relationship with Horner after nearly two decades together.
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