Aston Martin shake‑up
Reports say Jonathan Wheatley has left Audi and is linked with a move to Aston Martin ahead of the Japanese GP — a change that’s thrust technical chief Adrian Newey into the spotlight amid internal reshuffles. The maneuver is being framed as Aston Martin gearing up to mount a serious challenge to the top F1 teams. ( )
Audi’s statement said Jonathan Wheatley will depart “with immediate effect” for “personal reasons” and signalled a wider senior‑management restructure within the Hinwil outfit. (formula1.com) Mattia Binotto has been named to take over Wheatley’s duties on an interim basis ahead of next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. (skysports.com) Wheatley had been in place since April 2025 as part of Audi’s transition from Sauber, meaning his exit comes less than 12 months after he joined the project. (formula1.com) Aston Martin released a statement in the wake of the reports reiterating Adrian Newey’s continued technical leadership while confirming a management reshuffle is under way. (gpfans.com) Wheatley is a long‑time Red Bull engineering figure credited with helping the team’s operational turnaround and with overseeing Audi/Sauber’s recent progress, including Nico Hülkenberg’s maiden podium for the outfit at Silverstone. (formula1.com) Multiple outlets report the timing — a leadership reset before the Japanese GP — is being pitched by Aston Martin as a move to consolidate management around Newey’s technical programme and press a challenge on the established front‑running teams. (nytimes.com)
