Andy Cowell Departs Aston Martin as Adrian Newey Shapes 2026 Vision

Aston Martin team boss and CEO Andy Cowell is set to leave his role, reportedly ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, as the team undergoes a significant organizational refresh for the 2026 Formula 1 season. This departure is understood to be linked to the recent arrival of esteemed technical guru Adrian Newey, who is now a managing technical partner and shareholder.

Why it matters:

Andy Cowell, the mastermind behind Mercedes' dominant hybrid power units, was a high-profile signing for Aston Martin. His departure, coupled with Adrian Newey's increased influence, signals a major strategic shift for the Silverstone-based team as they aim to establish themselves as a top contender in the upcoming 2026 regulatory era. This restructuring underscores the intense competition and strategic maneuvers teams are making to gain an edge.

The Details:

• Cowell's Departure: Andy Cowell is expected to vacate his position as team principal and CEO imminently, likely before the Qatar Grand Prix. Sources indicate a split was anticipated following the Brazilian Grand Prix.
• Organizational Refresh: Aston Martin is restructuring its technical department, with aerodynamics director Eric Blandin also reported to be leaving the team.
• Newey's Influence: Cowell's exit is believed to be connected to Adrian Newey's commencement of employment as managing technical partner and shareholder. Newey's enhanced position is seen as a key factor in leadership and design disagreements.
• Differing Philosophies: Sources suggest a fundamental misalignment between Cowell and Newey on design topics and leadership dynamics, which is perhaps unsurprising given Cowell's power unit background and Newey's expertise in aerodynamics and chassis packaging.
• Previous Management Changes: Over the past 18 months, Aston Martin has seen significant managerial shifts, including former technical lead Dan Fallows' departure and the high-profile recruitments of Adrian Newey and Ferrari's chassis technical director, Enrico Cardile.
• Leadership Structure: Cowell had recently appointed himself as team principal, moving Mike Krack to head trackside operations. With Newey and Cardile now shaping the technical structures, priorities and directions within the team have reportedly shifted.

What's next:

The vacancy left by Cowell's departure has sparked speculation about potential replacements. Former McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl and former Red Bull boss Christian Horner are rumored targets. Horner, who is reportedly seeking a shareholding position in his next F1 challenge, might find Cowell's former role particularly tempting, especially given Lawrence Stroll's previous willingness to offer equity to secure top talent like Newey. A move for Horner could also reunite him with Honda power and Newey. However, Horner is also believed to be prioritizing the establishment of a brand-new team with significant financial backing. Aston Martin has declined to comment on