Aston Martin Shake-Up: Adrian Newey Set To Relinquish Team Principal Role - Report

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 23:13 IST

Newey is set to step down as Aston Martin team boss after a disastrous 2026 start, shifting focus to fixing the troubled AMR26.

In a move that sent ripples across the paddock (not the type that plagued Fernando Alonso at Shanghai), Adrian Newey is set to step down from his team principal role at Aston Martin F1 Team, just months after taking charge.

The man widely regarded as Formula One’s greatest designer isn’t leaving the team, but he is changing lanes.

As per a report by Motorsport, Newey would now focus purely on technical development, with current Audi boss Jonathan Wheatley lined up as his successor.

A Short-Lived Leadership Experiment

Newey had only stepped into the team principal role in November 2025, adding it to his position as managing technical partner. His arrival, backed by a minority stake, had effectively placed him at the top of Aston Martin’s hierarchy.

But the experiment didn’t last long.

A disastrous start to the 2026 season, largely driven by power unit issues with new partner Honda, exposed deeper cracks.

The Newey-designed AMR26 has struggled to even finish races so far.

Enter Wheatley, Exit Stability

Now, Wheatley — currently with Audi F1 Team — was expected to return to England and take over. His exit left Audi with a fresh leadership dilemma, while Aston Martin hoped for stability amid chaos.

Trouble on Track, Pressure Off It

The leadership change is set to come as results continue to nosedive. In Shanghai, both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll languished near the back of the grid, underlining just how far off the pace the team had fallen.

There are even murmurs about driver discomfort in the AMR26, with suggestions of extreme strain during races that could cause nerve damage.

Internal Friction and a Shift in Focus

Behind the scenes, tensions had already been brewing.

Former team boss Andy Cowell had clashed with Newey over the team’s development direction.

But now, it seems like Newey will find himself taking a step back and tending to what he knows best.

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