Friday\u2019s fast-paced F1 news includes Audi F1 confirming Formula 1\u2019s worst-kept secret as Jonathan Wheatley leaves the team with immediate effect.<\/p>\n
PlanetF1.com revealed on Wednesday that Wheatley had emerged as a leading candidate to succeed Adrian Newey as Aston Martin team principal, with Lawrence Stroll addressing the speculation with a statement. Here\u2019s today\u2019s roundup\u2026<\/p>\n
Audi F1 confirms Jonathan Wheatley departure ahead of expected Aston Martin move<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n The Audi F1 team has announced the departure of team principal Jonathan Wheatley with immediate effect.<\/p>\n It comes after PlanetF1.com revealed on Wednesday that Wheatley had emerged as a leading candidate to become the new Aston Martin team boss.<\/p>\n Mattia Binotto, the head of the Audi F1 project, will adopt the team principal\u2019s role following Wheatley\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n Read more: Jonathan Wheatley leaves Audi with immediate effect<\/a><\/p>\n Lawrence Stroll reaffirms confidence in Adrian Newey as Jonathan Wheatley exits Audi F1<\/p>\n Lawrence Stroll has \u201cset the record straight\u201d amid rumours that Adrian Newey is to vacate the role of Aston Martin team principal.<\/p>\n PlanetF1.com revealed that Newey has led the search for a new permanent Aston Martin team boss having assumed the role at the end of last year.<\/p>\n In a statement released shortly after Audi announced Jonathan Wheatley\u2019s exit, Stroll noted that \u201cwe are regularly approached by senior executives of other teams who wish to join Aston Martin Aramco.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Aston Martin statement reinforces Adrian Newey role amid Jonathan Wheatley speculation<\/a><\/p>\n Bradley Lord appointed Mercedes deputy team principal<\/p>\n Mercedes has announced that long-serving communications chief Bradley Lord has been appointed to the role of deputy team principal.<\/p>\n Lord has fulfilled the role of official team representative over recent years, stepping in for Toto Wolff when the team boss has missed race weekends.<\/p>\n He joined the team in 2011 after a stint as the Renault team\u2019s head of communications.<\/p>\n Read more: Toto Wolff appoints Bradley Lord as Mercedes deputy team principal<\/a><\/p>\n Lance Stroll: Adrian Newey an \u2018inspiring\u2019 team leader<\/p>\n Lance Stroll says Adrian Newey is \u201ca great leader\u201d with the Aston Martin team principal \u201cobsessed\u201d with bringing more performance to the AMR26 car.<\/p>\n Newey was installed as Aston Martin team principal late last year as the legendary designer took a team management role for the first time in his illustrious career.<\/p>\n The 67-year-old has overseen Aston Martin\u2019s troubled start to the F1 2026 season, which has seen the team hamstrung by severe vibrations with its new Honda power unit.<\/p>\n Read more: Lance Stroll shares Adrian Newey impressions as Aston Martin plans emerge<\/a><\/p>\n Explained: The FIA\u2019s ADUO scheme for struggling F1 2026 power unit manufacturers<\/p>\n In the closing months of last season, the FIA unveiled its Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) scheme, designed to help struggling manufacturers catch up under the new F1 2026 rules.<\/p>\n It was among the first concrete signs that some manufacturers were struggling with the demands of the new power unit regulations.<\/p>\n Honda could benefit from the scheme following a difficult start to the new season with Aston Martin.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n