Audi confirm Jonathan Wheatley exit following Aston Martin speculation over sensational F1 team principal switch

Audi have confirmed that Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley has departed due to “personal reasons” amid speculation over the future of Aston Martin. Adrian Newey, the F1 design guru formerly at Red Bull for 20 years, was the source of speculation that he was due to stand down as Aston Martin’s team principal, a role he took on at the start of the year following a £20m-a-year deal signed in 2025. It followed a report in Autosport on Thursday stated that Newey was set to return to a background role focusing “exclusively on technical matters”.

And now Wheatley looks set to become available for the restructure at Aston Martin, with Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project, set to step up and assume additional responsibilities as their new Team Principal. A statement from Audi read: “As it continues its journey towards the front of the grid, Audi Revolut F1 Team will implement significant changes to its senior management structure. “Due to personal reasons, Jonathan Wheatley will depart the team with immediate effect.

The team thanks Jonathan for his contribution to the project and wishes him the best for his future endeavours. ” Audi added: “Since joining at the helm of the project in 2024, Mattia has been in charge of the transformation of the team as Audi prepared for and ultimately entered F1 as a chassis and power unit manufacturer. (Getty) “The team's future structure will be fully defined at a later stage, as the organisation continues to adapt to the evolving environment of Formula One.

With the unwavering commitment of AUDI AG, Audi Revolut F1 Team will continue progressing towards challenging for championships by 2030. ” Aston insisted that Newey would remain in his current role on Thursday, telling The Independent : “The team will not be engaging in media speculation about its senior leadership team. “Adrian Newey continues to lead the team as Team Principal and Managing Technical Partner.