Adrian Newey will become a team principal for the first time when he takes over the role from Andy Cowell at Aston Martin in 2026.
Aston Martin signed Newey as managing technical partner earlier this year, working alongside Cowell who was previously CEO and team principal. However, the pair have now “agreed to divide their responsibilities” according to the team, with Cowell becoming chief strategy officer while Newey leads the team for the first time in his career.
“Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our team,” Newey said. “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.”
Cowell’s new position will see him reporting into team owner Lawrence Stroll – who leads the business functions at Aston Martin – and focus on the integration of new technical partners.
“Having implemented much needed structural changes as we transition to a full works team and set the foundations for Adrian and the wider organization, it is an appropriate time for me to take a different role as chief strategy officer,” Cowell said. “In this role, I will help to optimize 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 himself praised Cowell’s work to date, having only signed the former Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP) boss last year.
“Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year,” Stroll said. “He’s focused 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 will become the fourth Aston Martin team principal in the last four years, following Otmar Szafnauer, Mike Krack – who remains with the team as chief trackside officer – and Cowell.
