Adrian Newey Resigning from Aston F1 Team Principal Role After Only 4 Months: Report

      PAUL CROCK

      The most significant car news and reviews, no nonsense

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for the most important stories delivered to you every weekday.

      Aston Martin’s journey in Formula 1 has been quite inconsistent since it entered the championship in 2021. Under Lawrence Stroll’s ownership, the team has often struggled due to organizational and technical issues, although it has experienced some moments of brilliance in the past five years, largely thanks to its standout driver, Fernando Alonso. The unpredictability seems likely to continue, as team principal Adrian Newey is reportedly set to leave his position after only four months.

      According to Motorsport.com, Newey will resign to concentrate solely on technical matters. While the report does not specify when or the main reason for this change, it is evident that the team’s challenge of completing a full race distance is their top priority. Despite Honda actively addressing power unit issues and working hard to implement “countermeasures” in the last two races, Aston's management has remained relatively quiet about the car’s overall design and its potential difficulties in adapting to Honda’s equipment.

      After two races and extensive testing, it seems the team has decided to allow Newey to focus on his expertise: addressing the technical challenges affecting the car, aside from the power unit.

      The report also suggests that current Audi F1 team principal Jonathan Wheatley is poised to take over from Newey, likely receiving his endorsement. The two enjoyed a long and successful partnership at Red Bull Racing, so Newey is already familiar with Wheatley’s leadership style.

      However, while there is some validity to the rumor regarding Wheatley’s transition, considering their history, the same can be said for many high-profile individuals in the F1 paddock. Moreover, the report somewhat contradicts itself by initially stating this transition is happening, but later mentioning that Wheatley’s move from Audi to Aston would “depend” on his contract.

      An Audi F1 spokesperson provided the following statement to The Drive: “We are aware of the recent media reports. There is no official update from our side at this point in time, and we do not comment on speculation.”

      With the Japanese Grand Prix approaching next weekend, Aston—and potentially Audi—will likely make an announcement in the next few days.

      Have a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com