Aston Martin Formula 1 ambassador Pedro de la Rosa stated that Adrian Newey's role as team principal will remain unchanged and that Jonathan Wheatley is not joining the team for now. Wheatley left Audi last Friday citing personal reasons, shortly after reports emerged of a potential move to Aston Martin. De la Rosa emphasized the team's commitment to its current structure amid ongoing performance challenges.
Jonathan Wheatley departed from Audi on Friday due to personal reasons, just one day after reports indicated he was poised to succeed Adrian Newey as Aston Martin F1's team principal. Newey would have shifted focus to his role as managing technical partner. Aston Martin issued a statement shortly after Audi's announcement, confirming Newey's position and declining to address speculation about external executives seeking to join the team. The statement read: “We are regularly approached by senior executives of other teams who wish to join Aston Martin Aramco, but in keeping with our policy, we do not comment on rumour and speculation.” During Friday practice at the Japanese Grand Prix, de la Rosa spoke to Sky Sports F1, reinforcing the team's stance. “We're happy with what we have... Adrian being the team principal, but he's more than a team principal, he's actually a managing technical partner. So, that's going to remain the same,” de la Rosa said. He added that Wheatley had left Audi but that the team did not know the details and would not speculate. Pressed on a potential hire, de la Rosa replied: “Well, not for the time being... We shouldn't comment on rumours and speculation. Because we have to be respectful as well for what Jonathan wants to do in the future.” Aston Martin has seen four team principals in its five years under the current name. The team faces a difficult season start with its new Honda engines causing vibrations that damage batteries and raise driver health concerns. The AMR26 car has yet to finish a grand prix classified. De la Rosa praised the team's transparency: “You have to face the public... explain the things in a proper way, because the people want to understand why we are so slow. We just have to work hard, harder than anyone else.”
