Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Aston Martin is facing increasing scrutiny over its leadership structure in Formula 1 2026, with a majority of fans calling for a change in the team principal position.
A recent RacingNews365 poll revealed that 51.6% of respondents believe the Silverstone-based team should appoint Jonathan Wheatley as team principal. Wheatley, who left the Audi project in March after less than a year citing personal reasons, is widely regarded as a strong candidate due to his extensive experience, including 18 years with Red Bull Racing, where he played a key role in trackside operations and management coordination.
Currently, Aston Martin operates under an unconventional leadership model. Adrian Newey formally holds the team principal role, while Mike Krack acts as chief trackside officer, handling much of the day-to-day race operations and public-facing responsibilities.
Despite ongoing speculation, the team has reiterated its full backing of Newey. However, pressure has intensified following a difficult start to the 2026 season, including double retirements in Australia and China, as well as being among the slowest teams during pre-season testing.
In addition to Wheatley, Christian Horner emerged as the second-most supported candidate with 21% of the vote. Other names such as Andreas Seidl, Andrea Stella, and James Vowles received significantly lower levels of support.
The poll also highlighted that only 8.1% of fans believe Aston Martin should retain its current structure without changes. An identical percentage supported a return for Krack to the full team principal role, reinforcing the broader sentiment that a restructuring may be necessary.
Below are the full poll results:
| Option | Percentage of Vote |
|---|---|
| No – Stick with Adrian Newey | 8.1% |
| Yes – Sign Jonathan Wheatley | 51.6% |
| Yes – Sign Christian Horner | 21.0% |
| Yes – Sign Andreas Seidl | 3.2% |
| Yes – Sign Andrea Stella | 1.6% |
| Yes – Sign James Vowles | 1.6% |
| Yes – Sign Gianpiero Lambiase | 0% |
| Yes – Return Mike Krack to the role | 8.1% |
| Yes – Sign someone not listed above | 4.8% |
Overall, Aston Martin’s situation reflects not only its on-track struggles but also growing external pressure regarding the effectiveness of its internal structure. With performance expectations high and results yet to match ambitions, decisions surrounding leadership will be critical in shaping the team’s trajectory through the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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