Aston Martin F1 could be forced to wait 'a year' for new team principal

Aston Martin

Aston Martin F1 could be forced to wait 'a year' for new team principal

Recent reports suggest Wheatley's period of gardening leave could last up to a year

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Wednesday 25 March 2026 19:56

Following rumours Jonathan Wheatley could be Aston Martin bound, the rumoured length of his F1 gardening leave has emerged as a barrier to a union anytime soon.

Audi announced Wheatley's departure from the team last week due to 'personal reasons', and after only two races at the revamped outfit.

His official exit was preluded by rumours that Adrian Newey's own role at Aston Martin would change, focusing more on the car rather than the duties of team principal. It was then reported that Wheatley was in the frame for the leadership role at the team.

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Team owner Lawrence Stroll subsequently spoke in an Aston Martin statement that contradicted the F1 rumour mill. It read: "As Executive Chairman and Controlling Shareholder, I would like to reaffirm that Adrian Newey is my partner and an important shareholder. He is AMR’s Managing Technical Partner, and he and I have a true partnership built on a shared vision of success for the company.

"We do things differently here, and while we don’t currently adopt the traditional Team Principal role that you see elsewhere – it is by design.

"As the most successful engineer in the history of the sport, Adrian’s primary focus is on the strategic and technical leadership where he excels. He is supported by a highly skilled Senior Leadership Team to deliver on all aspects of the business, both at the Campus and trackside.

"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."

Despite Stroll Sr's statement, speculation regarding Wheatley's future runs amuck; but let's indulge the rumours for a second. If he were to move to Aston Martin, when would he be permitted to do so?

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How long is Wheatley's gardening leave?

According to Planet F1, Wheatley could be forced to serve a period of gardening leave - the period in which an individual may not work for a rival team to ensure that no vital secrets are passed on - that could last a year.

They report that their sources suggest 'Wheatley is likely facing at least one year of gardening leave' which could, however, be 'expedited' by specific circumstances.

This could depend on the 'finances' of any offer with Aston Martin and the 'strength of the relationship between the negotiating parties'. They therefore suggest that, even if a deal has already been struck between Wheatley and Aston Martin, it will not be known about until 'closer to the end of his gardening leave period'.

Why did Wheatley leave Audi?

For many, Wheatley's Audi exit came as a tremendous shock. Was not this the very man who vowed to see the team become world champions?

While 'personal reasons' was the official line in the press release, recent reports have surfaced concerning the head of the Audi project Mattia Binotto - who will take on the duties of team principal following his former colleague's departure.

Reports in the German media suggest that 'clashes between Binotto and Wheatley' were the impetus for the latter's departure. They also add that there was a disconnect between the two parties, leading CEO Gernot Dollner to start questioning the dual-leadership position of the pair.

F1 Aston Martin Adrian Newey Audi Jonathan Wheatley