Brundle backs Wheatley for Aston Martin role, urges team to 'settle down'

F1 pundit Martin Brundle believes Jonathan Wheatley would be a strong addition to Aston Martin's leadership, but stresses the team desperately needs to end its cycle of management instability to become a genuine contender.

Why it matters:

Aston Martin's frequent leadership changes under Lawrence Stroll's ownership have created an environment of uncertainty that hinders long-term progress. Securing a proven operator like Wheatley could provide much-needed stability and pragmatism, but only if the team commits to a consistent structure.

The details:

• Brundle confirmed the widespread paddock speculation, stating, "I'm going to assume yes [Jonathan will move to Aston Martin]."
• He highlighted the team's problematic pattern: "They've had such a revolving door of management at Aston Martin... some curious decisions about who does what and who's in charge."
• This instability has a tangible impact on the workforce. Brundle compared it to a chaotic football team, where staff "run for cover... because they don't know what's happening next, who they report to, or what the strategy is."
• The potential move follows Wheatley's sudden exit from the Audi F1 project for "personal reasons," a decision Brundle feels wouldn't have been taken lightly.
• A key advantage of the move is Wheatley's existing relationship with Adrian Newey, now at Aston Martin, from their shared history at Red Bull. Brundle believes Wheatley's "pragmatism and hands-on approach would glue some things together."

What's next:

The focus now shifts to formal negotiations and any required gardening leave before Wheatley could potentially start. If the move is finalized, the immediate challenge will be for Aston Martin's leadership to provide a clear, stable framework. Wheatley's success in bringing cohesion will depend not just on his own skills, but on the team's willingness to break its habit of constant structural change and finally settle on a definitive leadership plan.