Jonathan Wheatley has stepped down from his role as Audi’s Formula 1 Team Principal with immediate effect, the manufacturer announced on Friday, March 20, 2026. The sudden departure comes just two races into the 2026 season, ending his tenure before Audi’s official factory entry fully matures. Audi cited personal reasons for the exit.
According to unconfirmed reports, Aston Martin is actively exploring a deal to bring the 58-year-old Briton to Silverstone as their new Team Principal. The potential move would reunite Wheatley with former Red Bull Racing colleague Adrian Newey, who currently serves as Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner.
Wheatley joined the Hinwil-based operation, then competing as Kick Sauber, in April 2025. He operated within a dual management structure alongside Mattia Binotto. Binotto, who currently serves as the Head of the Audi F1 Project, will now permanently assume the Team Principal responsibilities ahead of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
Audi currently sits eighth in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship following a points-scoring debut by Gabriel Bortoleto in Australia.
🚨 BREAKING: Audi confirms Jonathan Wheatley OUT as Team Principal – 'personal reasons'
Translation: he’s going to Aston Martin to team up with Adrian Newey!
Aston just stole Audi’s brain before they even raced. Super team loading? Or Audi in freefall? Drop 🔥 if F1 just got…— VĘTËRªn🧠(@Levelthe50) March 20, 2026
At Aston Martin, the organization is navigating a difficult start to their 2026 campaign. The team suffered double retirements in the opening rounds due to severe vibrations and reliability failures linked to their new Honda power units.
Newey has temporarily absorbed Team Principal duties alongside his technical oversight role. Acquiring Wheatley would allow Newey to dedicate his focus entirely to resolving the AMR26’s performance deficits. Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll released a statement reaffirming Newey’s technical leadership but declined to address the Wheatley negotiations.
Wheatley is expected to undergo a period of gardening leave before finalizing any new contracts in professional sports management.