Jonathan Wheatley leaves Audi team principal role with immediate effect. Getty
-
Nate SaundersMar 20, 2026, 11:48 AM ET
Audi has confirmed the departure of team boss Jonathan Wheatley following reports he will replace Adrian Newey in a similar role at Aston Martin.
On Thursday, ESPN reported F1 design legend Newey is stepping back from the role of team principal to focus on his original job with the team as executive chairman and managing technical partner, which he started in early 2025.
Newey became team principal last November on top of his wider role with the team.
Some outlets had tipped Wheatley to be his replacement as day-to-day team boss, although sources have told ESPN a deal is not done yet.
On Friday, Audi announced Wheatley would be leaving the team immediately "for personal reasons" and that F1 project head Mattia Binotto will take over his role for the time being.
Aston Martin has not yet confirmed who is taking over in the team boss position.
Shortly after Audi's press release, Aston Martin put out a statement from team owner Lawrence Stroll addressing this week's rumours and stressing Newey's importance to the organisation.
Stroll's statement said: "With the current speculation surrounding Adrian Newey's role in our team, I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight.
"As Executive Chairman and Controlling Shareholder, 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.
"As the most successful engineer in the history of the sport, Adrian's primary focus is on the strategic and technical leadership where he excels. He is supported by a highly skilled Senior Leadership Team to deliver on all aspects of the business, both at the Campus and trackside.
"We are regularly approached by senior executives of other teams who wish to join Aston Martin Aramco, but in keeping with our policy, we do not comment on rumour and speculation."
Wheatley's departure from Audi comes almost exactly one year after he started with the Swiss-based team.
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Your US State Privacy Rights
- Children's Online Privacy Policy
- Interest-Based Ads
- About Nielsen Measurement
- Your Privacy Choices
- Contact Us
- Disney Ad Sales Site
- Work for ESPN
- Corrections
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos.
Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.
Context:
Wheatley exits Audi after one year amid speculation he'll replace Newey as Aston Martin's day-to-day team boss.
Context:
This highlights F1's ongoing leadership shuffle as teams restructure roles between technical and operational management.
Context:
Newey joined Aston Martin in early 2025 and briefly served as both team principal and technical leader simultaneously.
