Source:NURPHOTO/Wan Mikhail Roslan
[Saba Sports News] Speculation in the paddock has been growing over Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden decision to leave the Audi team. Martin Brundle, former F1 driver and commentator, said he would not be surprised if his close friend eventually joins Aston Martin, even though no progress has been officially confirmed by either side.
Wheatley stepped down for personal reasons after just two races with Audi, making his departure rather abrupt. Meanwhile, reports suggest Adrian Newey is seeking a long-term team principal for Aston Martin, with Wheatley high on the list of targets. Newey and Wheatley previously worked together at Red Bull, and Newey is very familiar with Wheatley’s working style and management abilities, further increasing the likelihood of them reuniting.
Brundle believes Wheatley’s pragmatic and execution-focused approach is exactly what the struggling Aston Martin team currently lacks. If he joins successfully, he could help stabilize the team’s turbulent management structure to some degree. Brundle also noted that Aston Martin’s car is not only lacking pace but also suffering from serious reliability issues. In particular, battery vibration problems linked to the Honda power unit have directly impacted car performance and driver performance.
In the editor’s view, under the dual pressure of budget constraints and a packed race calendar, a dramatic short-term turnaround for Aston Martin is unrealistic. The team must first clarify its development direction and gradually resolve technical and management issues; otherwise, its difficulties will persist beyond the 2027 season.