Jonathan Wheatley backed for Aston Martin F1 team principal role: "He's a fighter"

David Coulthard has backed Jonathan Wheatley for a potential Aston Martin team principal role after his sudden departure from Audi

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has thrown his support behind Jonathan Wheatley to take the team principal role at Aston Martin, following his exit from the Audi F1 project.

Audi confirmed on 20 March that Wheatley had left his role of team principal with immediate effect due to personal reasons, after only joining the outfit in 2025.

Following the Briton's exit, he has been linked to a move to Aston Martin. Motorsport understands that Adrian Newey will step back from his team principal duties to focus on his responsibilities as managing technical partner.

Aston Martin has denied these rumours. “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 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," Lawrence Stroll said at the time.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

While the rumours were discussed on the Up To Speed podcast with Will Buxton, Jolie Sharpe, Naomi Schiff and Coulthard, the former Red Bull driver offered his support for Wheatley, who he worked with at the Milton Keynes outfit, and shed light on his "fighter" personality.

"I think you guys are misreading how cuddly Jonathan is," Coulthard said. "I know he's a fighter. He will do what he needs to do with a sporting ethic. I'm a big fan of Jonathan. I would have him on my team any day."

Head of the Audi F1 project Mattia Binotto has confirmed that the squad will be announcing a new team boss "very soon". Binotto has taken on the team principal responsibilities in the meantime.