Adrian Newey is set to step down as team principal of Aston Martin, in a move that would see the legendary designer return to a purely technical role just months after taking charge.
The 67-year-old, widely regarded as one of Formula 1’s greatest engineers, only assumed the position ahead of the 2026 season.
However, reports suggest he is now ready to relinquish leadership duties to focus fully on car development.
The decision comes at a difficult time for Aston Martin. The team has endured a troubled start to the new campaign, with reliability issues preventing consistent race finishes.
Their 2026 challenger, built under Newey’s direction, has been hampered by problems linked to its new Honda power unit, leaving the team without a strong early-season result.
With performance falling short of expectations, Newey’s shift back to engineering appears aimed at addressing the team’s most urgent concern – building a competitive car under the new regulations.
READ MORE: Chinese GP reaction: Lewis Hamilton shares emotional podium with Mercedes ‘family’ in
Wheatley emerges as leading candidate
As part of the potential reshuffle, Aston Martin are targeting Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley as Newey’s replacement.
Wheatley, who only joined Audi ahead of the 2026 season, has quickly emerged as the leading candidate to take over the role.
The Briton previously worked closely with Newey during their successful spell at Red Bull, a relationship that could prove key in Aston Martin’s thinking.
However, the move is yet to be confirmed and would depend on contractual agreements with Audi, with uncertainty over when a transition could take place.
Uncertainty remains despite strong links
Despite widespread reports, Aston Martin has publicly played down the speculation, insisting that Newey remains in his current role for now.
“The team will not be engaging in media speculation about its senior leadership team. Adrian Newey continues to lead the team as Team Principal and Managing Technical Partner,” said Aston Martin in a statement to Sky Sports News.
“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,” read Audi’s statement.
Audi has also declined to comment on Wheatley’s future, leaving the situation unresolved.
Still, the direction of travel appears clear. Newey’s strengths have always been rooted in technical innovation, and a return to that focus could be crucial as teams race to master the sport’s new era.
For Aston Martin, the coming weeks could prove decisive. A leadership reshuffle, combined with urgent performance improvements, may define whether their ambitious project can recover from a difficult start to 2026.
READ NEXT: Premier League predictions: Matchweek 31 tips for televised games
SportJustSport writers