Adrian Newey has been confirmed as the Aston Martin team principal starting from the 2026 Formula 1 season as Andy Cowell transitions to the pivotal role of chief strategy officer.
The shift comes as part of a broader leadership restructure at the Silverstone-based outfit with Newey taking charge of trackside operations alongside leading the technical division, while Cowell focuses on strategic partnerships and optimization of the team’s new power unit integration.
Newey’s appointment underscores Aston Martin’s ambition to elevate their competitive edge in the evolving F1 landscape, particularly as the sport enters a new era of technical regulations in 2026.
Adrian Newey, widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and successful engineers in Formula 1 history, joined Aston Martin earlier in the 2025 season as managing technical partner after nearly two decades with Red Bull.
This marks the first time the famed British design guru is taking on a team principal role, directly responsible for team operations on race weekends.
Newey brings with him a wealth of experience, having been instrumental in winning 13 drivers’ world championships and 12 constructors’ titles across multiple F1 teams.
His enhanced role at Aston Martin means he will oversee not only the car design and engineering but also the overall race strategy and execution on track.
This comprehensive responsibility aligns with the team’s goal to fully harness Newey’s creative and technical expertise to compete at the highest level.
“Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our team,” the 66-year old 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.”
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Andy Cowell takes over the new role after serving as team boss for roughly a year to implement crucial changes and structure Aston Martin for its upcoming full works status with Honda.
In this capacity, Cowell will focus on strengthening key technical partnerships with Honda, Aramco, and Valvoline, ensuring smooth integration of new power unit and fuel technologies essential for the upcoming 2026 F1 regulations.
“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 Aston Martin Chief Strategy Officer,” he said.
“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.”
Team owner Lawrence Stroll expressed confidence that the new leadership changes will empower the team to “play to their collective strengths” and reinforce a culture focused on performance and innovation.
“Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year,” Stroll said. “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 Aston Martin Chief Strategy Officer.
“I’m also pleased that Adrian Newey will step into the Aston Martin 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.”
The team currently sits eighth in the 2025 F1 championship standings, with team drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll ranking 13th and 16, respectively.
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