c/formula1 · by woelkchen@lemmy.world · 159d

Newey to step down as Aston Martin F1 team principal, Wheatley set to join from Audi

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/adrian-newey-to-step-down-as-aston-martin-f1-team-principal/10806485/

35 points · 13 comments · view on lemmy.world

13 Comments

calamitycastle@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 159d

Big yikes but only makes any sense if their going for Audi power either later this season or next. The bung to Wheatley must have been eye watering

roflo1@piefed.social · 7 pts · 159d (4 replies)

No gardening leave?

Tamps@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 158d (3 replies)

(if this is a done deal, and I'm not sure it is) It would seem unadvisable for Audi to let Wheatley immediately go to a competitor who they've got a good chance of finishing ahead of. So I'd presume there'd be a lot of haggling over how soon he could join. Given the likely rate of development this year, perhaps people's knowledge will age faster than previous years, but still!

roflo1@piefed.social · 1 pts · 158d (2 replies)

Yeah, but AM kinda need a team principal right now .

Anyway, I'll keep treating it as rumour for the time being, but according to BBC sports :

However, Wheatley's existing contract with Audi means it could be some time before he is able to join Aston Martin.

roflo1@piefed.social · 1 pts · 158d

Strike that... apparently it's not a rumour any more:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/articles/ckg05py1zneo

Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley has left the team with immediate effect.

and

He will have to serve a period of 'gardening leave' before joining another team, the length of which will have to be negotiated between himself, Audi and potentially a future employer.

woelkchen@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 158d