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Motorsport
Motorsport
Lydia Mee

F1 Canadian GP sign error supports Jonathan Wheatley to Aston Martin discussion

Formula 1 fans have lost it after a sign at the Canadian Grand Prix listed Jonathan Wheatley as part of the Aston Martin team.

On Thursday morning, eagle-eyed passers-by and photographers noticed the sign in the VIP car park reserved for team members. In the designated Aston Martin slot was a printed sign for Wheatley.

Although this sign has now been confirmed as a misprint, it follows Wheatley's abrupt exit from Audi on 20 March 2026 due to "personal reasons".

While Wheatley is yet to confirm his next move, Motorsport.com understands that the former Audi team principal is due to move to Aston Martin.

As photos of the sign made their way across social media, one fan commented on Reddit, "No one will announce it if Wheatley moves to Aston... but there will be signs."

[kymillman] Wheatly to Aston Martin?
by u/Maximum-Room-3999 in formula1

"Would be hilarious if this was indeed how we got confirmation," someone else wrote, while another added: "Wheatley to Aston is the worst-kept secret in the paddock and the fact that Aston tried to deny it is even more funny. I doubt a TP will leave his job after 4 races to go on a gardening leave just for the sake of it!"

"It’d be funny if this is some elite-level trolling just to cause some media sh**-stirring by some Canadian fan lol," another fan wrote.

Other reactions included: "I mean, having that sign is pretty eye-catching and worth discussing. Even if it’s a big fat mistake," and, "He didn't leave Audi to be jobless. It was obvious he was going to Aston Martin."

Wheatley had joined Sauber in 2025 before it transitioned to Audi in 2026 after almost two decades with Red Bull. But with less than a year under his belt at the Hinwil outfit, Wheatley left Audi ahead of the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.

Photos from Canadian GP - Friday

59 Formula 1 George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Haas F1 pitstop practice

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Alexandra Leclerc, wife of F1 driver Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

Fire marshal

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Friday, in photos

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