Jonathan Wheatley Set to Take Over Aston Martin Leadership as Newey Shifts Focus to Technical Role
Adrian Newey is stepping back from his team principal duties at Aston Martin to concentrate on technical development amid a disappointing 2026 season start. Jonathan Wheatley, currently leading Audi's F1 operations, will assume the team principal position vacated by Newey.
A significant leadership transition is underway at Aston Martin's Formula 1 operation, with Adrian Newey relinquishing his team principal responsibilities to redirect his efforts toward pure technical leadership. Jonathan Wheatley, who presently serves as team boss at Audi, is poised to assume the role vacated by Newey.
According to Motorsport's sources, Newey's decision to step down comes as the Aston Martin squad grapples with a disappointing beginning to the 2026 campaign. The team has encountered considerable challenges early in the season, including power unit complications stemming from their newly established partnership with Honda.
By concentrating exclusively on technical strategy and vehicle development, Newey aims to address the performance issues that have plagued Aston Martin's initial races this year. The transition sees experienced team manager Wheatley taking on the broader organizational and operational responsibilities that come with the team principal position, allowing Newey to dedicate his formidable engineering expertise to resolving the current technical shortcomings.
Original source
Motorsport.com
Related Regulations
Hover over badges for quick summaries, or scroll down for full official text and simplified explanations.
Full Regulation Text
Article 2.2
2026 Power Unit Regulations
Chapter: Chapter II - Power Unit Changes
In Simple Terms
2026 brings major engine rule changes. The complex MGU-H is removed to cut costs and attract new manufacturers. To compensate, the MGU-K becomes much more powerful and the battery is bigger. The goal is simpler, more sustainable power units that are still cutting-edge.
- MGU-H removed from power units
- MGU-K power increased significantly
- Larger energy store capacity
- Aims to attract new manufacturers
Official FIA Text
For 2026, the power unit will comprise a 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged internal combustion engine with a significantly enhanced electrical component. The MGU-H will be removed. The electrical power output will increase substantially with a more powerful MGU-K and larger energy store.
Article 2
Information provided by the PU Manufacturer to their customer F1 Teams
Chapter: APPENDIX C5: HOMOLOGATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER UNITS, FUEL AND OIL FOR 2026-2030
In Simple Terms
Engine manufacturers must give F1 teams detailed plans and specifications of their power units in two stages: a preliminary version by August and a final version by November of the year before competition. If anything significant changes after August, the manufacturer must notify teams immediately, and if teams think the changes are unfair, they can ask the FIA to investigate within 7 days.
- Engine manufacturers must provide preliminary technical specifications and 3D models to teams by August 1st of the year before competition
- Final detailed specifications, operating parameters, and installation procedures must be submitted by November 1st
- Any significant changes after August 1st require immediate notification to customer teams and FIA approval
- Customer teams have 7 days to challenge unreasonable changes, with the FIA deciding within 14 days whether modifications are acceptable
Official FIA Text
Any PU Manufacturer intending to supply a Power Unit to an F1 Team during a Championship (year N) must: a. Declare to the FIA, before 1 August of year N-1, that they provided to their customer F1 Teams: i. An initial full external space model of the Power Unit including details and locations of all physical interfaces required by the team to install the Power Unit. ii. Preliminary estimates of important operating parameters such as heat rejection, fuel mass and density, clutch shaft stiffness and engine stiffness. b. Declare to the FIA, before 1 November of year N-1, that they provided to their customer F1 Teams: i. A final full external space model of the Power Unit including details and locations of all physical interfaces required by the team to install the Power Unit. ii. Firm predictions of important operating parameters such as heat rejection, fuel mass and density, clutch shaft stiffness and engine stiffness. iii. Initial details of any other parts, procedures, operating conditions and limits or any other information required by the team to install and operate the Power Unit as intended. After the 1 August of year N-1, any significant change compared to previous communication, must be notified to the customer F1 Teams in due time. Should a Customer Team consider that the change has an unreasonable impact on the Power Unit installation in the car, they may contact the FIA within 7 days of the notification. The FIA will then contact the relevant PU Manufacturer and its customer F1 Teams in order to conduct its investigation. If the FIA is satisfied, in its absolute discretion, that these changes are acceptable, the FIA will confirm to the PU Manufacturer and the customer F1 Teams within 14 days that they may be carried out.
Article 1.1
Homologation dossier submission
Chapter: Appendix C5
In Simple Terms
Before a new engine manufacturer can supply power units to F1 teams, they must submit official documentation to the FIA by March 1st of their first year competing. Each manufacturer can only submit one set of these documents.
- Engine manufacturers must register with the FIA before competing
- Homologation dossier (technical documentation) must be submitted by March 1st of the first year supplying engines
- Only one homologation dossier is allowed per manufacturer
- This ensures all engines meet F1 technical regulations and standards
Official FIA Text
Any PU Manufacturer registered must submit to FIA a Power Unit homologation dossier before 1 March of first year intending to supply. Each PU Manufacturer shall present only one homologation dossier.
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