Should Adrian Newey step down from his role as Aston Martin team principal?

Aston Martin is mired in the midst of a horrendous start to the F1 season, with its underpowered Honda engine causing significant problems for the AMR26.

Vibrations emanating from the battery are not only affecting the chassis, but they are also risking "permanent nerve damage" in the hands of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Team principal Adrian Newey had to deal with extreme heat from the press at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where he conceded that neither driver would be able to complete a full race distance.

It also transpired that Honda had only two usable batteries by the mid-point of the weekend in Melbourne, leaving both cars in a precarious position.

The difficult situation continued at the Shanghai International Circuit, a round that Newey did not attend, although the team insisted his absence was planned.

But, in the days following the trip to China, it emerged that Newey is apparently on the hunt for his successor, with the intention of returning solely to his managing technical partner role.

Jonathan Wheatley, who has been closely linked with the role, has left his role as team principal at Audi "for personal reasons", according to the team, fanning the flames.

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll, however, has issued a statement, claiming he wanted "to set the record straight" on Newey, only to conclude by saying, "we do not comment on rumour and speculation".

The furore, however, raises a question over the project at the Silverstone-based squad, which Newey has only been overseeing in its entirety for a few months: If it does come to pass, would Newey stepping down from that role be the right move for Aston Martin?

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