Adrian Newey named Aston Martin's team principal for 2026
Restructuring has shaken up the top brass of the Aston Martin F1 team with Andy Cowell being replaced by Adrian Newey as team principal for the 2026 F1 season.
In recent days rumours started swirling about a change in the hierarchy of the Aston Martin F1 team suggesting current team principal Cowell would make way.
Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, and former Audi leader Andreas Seidl fronted an alleged list of replacements for the former Mercedes engine guru.
Nevertheless the team has now confirmed Newey and Cowell have agreed to split their functions to aid Aston Martin's bid for success heading into the upcoming F1 season.
The acclaimed F1 designer will be in charge of the technical development of the cars, the team's trackside operations and the role as team principal, whereas Cowell's focus, given his background, will be devoted to exploiting the relationships between Aston Martin,Honda, Aramco and Valvoline.
Owner Lawrence Stroll will continue leading the F1 team's business side of the operation.
Cowell, Aston Martin's 2026 Chief Strategy Officer said: "Having implemented much needed structural changes as we transition to a full works team and set the foundations for Adrian and the wider organisation, it is an appropriate time for me to take a different role as Chief Strategy Officer.
"In this role, I will help to optimise the technical partnership between the Team, Honda, Aramco and Valvoline and to ensure the seamless integration of the Team’s new PU, fuel and chassis."
Stroll sr. said: "Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year. He's focussed on building a world-class team and getting them to work well together, as well as fostering a culture that puts the race car back at the heart of what we do.
"This leadership change is a mutual decision we have reached in the interest of the Team. We all look forward to continuing working with him in his new capacity as Chief Strategy Officer.
"I'm also pleased that Adrian Newey will step into the Team Principal role, which will enable him to make full use of his creative and technical expertise. Both these changes will ensure the Team is best placed to play to their collective strengths."
Newey, Aston Martin's 2026 team principal and current senior technical partner said: "Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our Team. I'm looking forward to taking on this additional role as we put ourselves in the best possible position to compete in 2026, where we will face an entirely new position with Aston Martin now a works team combined with the considerable challenge faced by the new regulations.
"Andy's new role, focusing on the integration of the new PU with our three key partners, will be pivotal in this journey."
Alonso looks forward to Aston Martin's new era
Fernando Alonso, after finishing 13th in Las Vegas (later 11th due to McLaren disqualifications), is treating the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as celebratory farewells to the AMR25, saying it’s time to move on from the car. Read his full statements here.
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