Adrian Newey is set to take on the role of team principal at Aston Martin starting in 2026, while the current team principal and CEO, Andy Cowell, will transition to the position of chief strategy officer. This shift in leadership comes amid speculation regarding the team’s future, including rumors about former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner potentially joining Aston Martin.
Aston Martin’s announcement highlighted that the division of responsibilities between Cowell and Newey aims to leverage their respective strengths for improved organizational efficiency. Newey, renowned for his remarkable success as a designer with 12 constructors’ titles to his name, joined Aston Martin earlier this season as a shareholder and managing technical partner, positioning him above standard technical directors in Formula 1.
Cowell has been at the helm for the past 14 months, having succeeded Mike Krack as team principal at the beginning of this year. His new role will focus on collaboration with the upcoming power unit supplier Honda, as well as continuing partnerships with Aramco and Valvoline, which will provide fuel and lubricants from next year.
Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin’s majority owner and executive chairman, expressed satisfaction with Cowell’s leadership, stating that he has successfully built a cohesive team centered on enhancing racing performance. Stroll emphasized that the leadership change was mutually agreed upon to better serve the team’s interests.
Newey shared his enthusiasm for the new challenges ahead, noting the exceptional talent within the team and looking forward to enhancing their competitive position as they transition to a works team under new regulations. Cowell echoed this sentiment, highlighting his intention to optimize the collaboration with Honda and other partners to ensure a seamless integration of the team’s new power unit, fuel, and chassis.
Aston Martin has undertaken significant investments in infrastructure, including a new factory and wind tunnel, to position itself for championship contention under the upcoming regulations in 2026. Following a lackluster performance in the 2025 season, the team currently sits eighth in the constructors’ standings after recently losing seventh place to Haas at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
This leadership shift marks a pivotal moment for Aston Martin as it prepares for an exciting future, emphasizing collaboration and strategic foresight to maximize its potential on the F1 grid.