Aston Martin Co-Owner Addresses Reports of Newey's Role

Lawrence Stroll, co-owner of Aston Martin, has addressed recent reports regarding Adrian Newey's position within the team. According to Sky Sports News, Aston Martin is considering hiring former Audi boss Jonathan Wheatley as team principal, which would allow Newey to focus on car development as Managing Technical Partner. Wheatley's sudden departure from Audi has fueled speculation about his potential move to Aston Martin. Stroll emphasized that Newey is his partner and a key shareholder, and that they have a shared vision for the company's success. He also clarified that Aston Martin does not currently adopt the traditional team principal role, but instead operates with a different structure by design. The team has had a challenging start to the season, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll yet to complete a full race. Stroll stated that Newey's primary focus is on strategic and technical leadership, and that he is supported by a highly skilled senior leadership team. Aston Martin has been approached by other F1 personnel interested in joining the team, but Stroll declined to comment on speculation. The team's performance has been hindered by issues with the Honda engine, including severe vibrations that have caused concerns for the drivers' safety. Newey had previously expressed his concern about the vibrations, which could cause permanent nerve damage to the drivers. Honda has also been unable to run the power unit at full capacity due to the vibration issue. Aston Martin's struggles have been evident in their lack of speed and inability to complete full race simulations. The team's engine supplier, Honda, will face increased scrutiny at their home event, the Japanese Grand Prix, next weekend.