AUDI are set to race in Japan under new team principal Mattia Binotto amid Jonathan Wheatley’s departure.
Wheatley left the German manufacturer with immediate effect last week after just 12-months with the team following his departure from Red Bull the following year.
Despite “personal reasons” being cited for the former team principal, interest from Aston Martin has also been rumoured.
With Adrian Newey not hitting the ground running as Lawrence Stroll may have expected, it is thought he may return to his role as managing technical partner where he is vital in car design.
If Wheatley joined the Silverstone team it would give Newey time to solely focus on car development after double DNF’s at the first two races of the season.
Lawrence Stroll released a statement on Friday, minutes after Audi announced Wheatley’s departure:
“With the current speculation surrounding Adrian Newey’s role in our team, I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight…
“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”.
Formula One returns this weekend in the form of the Japanese Grand Prix, commencing from March 27 – March 29.
Written by Keira Godwin.
