Adrian Newey
Jonathan Wheatley to replace Adrian Newey as Aston Martin F1 team principal amid 2026 Honda engine crisis
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Adrian Newey is set to step down from his role as Aston Martin Formula 1 team principal after a brief tenure to focus on technical matters. He will be replaced by Jonathan Wheatley, Audi's team principal of just one year, as the team grapples with its new Honda power unit's failures under 2026 regulations. This marks the fifth leadership change since Aston Martin entered F1 in 2021.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has criticised Adrian Newey for accepting the position of Aston Martin team principal. Steiner argued that Newey's strengths lie in car design rather than leadership duties.
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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.
Fernando Alonso has shared his excitement after taking the new Aston Martin AMR26 for its first laps during the Barcelona Shakedown. The Spaniard highlighted the significant impact of designer Adrian Newey on the team. He described the experience as special amid major changes for the squad ahead of the 2026 season.
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Fernando Alonso shared positive impressions after testing Aston Martin's 2026 car, the AMR26, for the first time at the Barcelona Shakedown. The 44-year-old driver highlighted the valuable contributions of new team designer Adrian Newey. Alonso noted that Newey is 'always teaching us something.'