Aston Martin warned against making major damaging decision

Former Aston Martin head of race strategy Bernie Collins has suggested a new leader at the Silverstone-based squad may not be the best route to solving its current struggles.

Aston Martin has endured a highly challenging start to the year, with its new Honda power unit suffering from significant vibrations, going so far as to pose a risk to driver health.

The car itself, however, is also lacking significant pace, qualifying on the final row of the grid in the last two races in China and Japan.

Adrian Newey currently holds the role of team principal, but Jonathan Wheatley's sudden exit from Audi has prompted speculation that he is on course for a leading role at Aston Martin, leaving Newey to focus solely on the technical side of operations.

“He is a name that's been thrown around alongside that Aston Martin team, and potentially a fit,” Collins told Sky Sports F1.

“Everyone is denying all rumours at this stage, as they always will.

“We don't know the reason that he left Audi, as it was, but that's quite early in the season in a new team.”

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Aston Martin need 'stability' during struggles

Should Wheatley take over team boss duties, he would become the latest name to take on the role in recent years, following stints from Otmar Szafnauer, Mike Krack and Andy Cowell.

But as Aston Martin seeks to develop itself out of its current predicament, Collins asserted that the consistent changes are not good for stability.

“For Aston Martin's side, there have been a lot of changes at the top over the last few years, and that's not the best way to get on top of the issues that they're having with Honda," she said.

“They need a bit of stability. They need clear direction on what they're going to improve and how, where they're going to spend their money in order to progress the car forward.

“What’s going to be the overriding [factor], the engine development or chassis development? Where is it going to go?

“So they need some clear direction on that. Regardless of who it is, I'm not necessarily sure that changing the people at the top is good for stability at this stage.”

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