Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle has backed Jonathan Wheatley to complete a speculated move to Aston Martin due to the seismic nature of his departure from rivals Audi.
The former Red Bull Sporting Director was Team Principal of the German marque, having overseen its transition from Sauber last season, alongside its project chief Mattia Binotto.
But after just three races with the Hinwil-based outfit, Wheatley sensationally quit, amid rumours of a rift with Binotto and rumours of a planned resuffle at Aston Martin.
News of Wheatley’s departure came just as speculation surfaced that Adrian Newey would be looking to revert back to a technical-only role, leading many to believe the exit was linked.
But with F1 now in its enforced month-long break, and with part-owner Lawrence Stroll refuting all speculation, there have been no further developments.
It is likely that if Aston were to move for Wheatley, a significant period of gardening leave would have to be completed unless a substantial financial agreement were to be reached.
But Brundle, who originally worked with Wheatley he drove for Benetton when the latter was in his early years in F1, has predicted that his “mate” will indeed assume the role on Aston’s pitwall.
“They’ve had such a revolving door of management at Aston Martin, haven’t they?” he told Sky’s F1 show.
“And some curious decisions I think they’ve taken about who does what and who’s in charge. Really curious, frankly, just observing it and knowing, knowing some of the people involved.
“I’m going to assume, yes.
“Jonathan’s a mate, but he doesn’t want to talk at the moment, because I’m sure he can’t.
“So I don’t think he would have abandoned the Audi project and moving the family to Switzerland and all of that lightly, so let’s assume, when they’ve got through the negotiations or the gardening leave or whatever’s involved here, that he will end up at Aston Martin.
“Adrian knows him incredibly well from the Red Bull days, of course, and I think Jonathan’s pragmatism and sort of hands-on approach would glue some things together there. Yes, I think it would be a smart move, clearly.”
“It’s not something I picked up on from him at all, but maybe moving back to the UK appeals to him and paying some tax.
“But it’s curious one. I didn’t see that one coming from Jonathan. If I’m honest, although I was told twice in Melbourne that that was going to happen, actually, but up until that point, I hadn’t seen it coming along.”
Aston Martin needs to ‘stick with something’ as Jonathan Wheatley rumours continue
Brundle observed that Aston Martin, having had four Team Principals in its five years in the sport, is in need of some stability, but backed Wheatley to provide it.
“Jonathan would be a good catch for them, but they need to settle down and just stick with something,” he said. “They look like a Premier League football team at the moment, just constantly changing who’s in charge, and then you know what happens then.
“Then everybody just runs for cover in the team and keeps their heads down because they don’t know what’s happening next, who they report to, what the strategy is, or whatever that’s any team.
“So it’s, it’s really a difficult situation for them all around.”
Rumours continue to swirl about exactly how Aston’s predicted reshuffle will actually take shape but Newey would no doubt find comfort in taking his old Red Bull colleague with him, and being able to focus solely on the technical areas.
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