Adrian Newey to step back from Aston Martin team principal role

Adrian Newey is poised to relinquish his role as Aston Martin's team principal to refocus on technical leadership, with the team actively targeting Audi's current team principal, Wheatley, as his replacement. This potential management shake-up comes as Aston Martin endures a disastrous start to its works Honda partnership, failing to score a point amid severe technical issues with its AMR26 car.

Why it matters:

Newey's return to a pure technical focus could be crucial for solving the deep-rooted problems plaguing Aston Martin's 2026 car. The move signals owner Lawrence Stroll's urgency to stabilize the team's operations and unlock the performance needed to justify massive investments in facilities and its Honda partnership. Securing a proven operational leader like Wheatley would aim to separate team management from technical crises, a structure that has long been successful at top teams.

The details:

• Multiple reports indicate Newey's tenure as de facto team principal was always considered temporary following Andy Cowell's departure earlier this year.
• Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has personally approached Wheatley to run the race team, proposing a structure where Newey remains at the top of the technical hierarchy.
• Wheatley's existing contract with Audi could trigger a period of gardening leave, potentially delaying any immediate move.
• Other candidates like Red Bull’s Gianpiero Lambiase and Audi CEO Andreas Seidl were reportedly considered, but Wheatley—who has a two-decade working history with Newey from their Red Bull days—is the leading option.
• Despite the reports, Aston Martin has publicly dismissed the speculation, stating Newey continues in his dual role.

What's next:

The immediate focus remains on-track, where Aston Martin is in a race against time to diagnose and fix its car's problems.

• Honda has yet to identify the root cause of the severe vibrations that are destroying components and physically affecting drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
• If a deal for Wheatley proceeds, his start date will hinge on negotiations with Audi to resolve his contract situation.
• This restructuring represents Stroll's latest attempt to streamline the team's path to competitiveness, with Newey's undivided technical attention now viewed as essential to salvaging a catastrophic season.