Andy Cowell will take on a new role as Chief Strategy Officer of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, and Adrian Newey will take on the role of Team Principal from 2026.
Andy Cowell and Adrian Newey have agreed to divide their responsibilities in order to focus on their individual strengths and expertise, ensuring organisational efficiency.
Andy Cowell will take on a new role as Chief Strategy Officer of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, using his unique experience to help optimise the technical partnership between the Team, Honda, Aramco and Valvoline.
Adrian Newey will take on the role of Team Principal from 2026 and will be guiding the technical team, including the trackside operations of the car.
These strategic changes are designed to ensure the leadership team is well prepared to play to its collective strengths in 2026.
The 2026 season brings the biggest changes to Formula One in a generation, with new technical regulations and an additional team on the grid. To take advantage of the opportunity this brings, the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team is announcing changes in its leadership structure.
These strategic changes are designed to ensure the Team is well prepared to play to its collective strengths in 2026.
Over the past 14 months, Andy Cowell has led the Team as CEO and Team Principal in implementing the much-needed structural changes to support the transition to a full works team in readiness for the new regulations in 2026.
Having successfully laid the foundations, Andy Cowell will take a new role as Chief Strategy Officer, reporting to Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll. Given his unparalleled experience and expertise in working on power units, Andy will help optimise the technical partnerships between the Team, Honda, Aramco and Valvoline and will work closely with the Team’s partners to ensure the seamless integration of the Team's new PU, fuel and chassis.
As Managing Technical Partner, Adrian Newey will be responsible for guiding the technical team, including the trackside operations of the car and will take on the additional role of Team Principal from 2026.
As Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll will continue to lead the business functions of the Team.
Andy Cowell 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."
Lawrence Stroll 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."
Adrian Newey 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."
Related content
Unearth Your Greatness: Building for 2026 with Adrian Newey
Read more
UNDERCUT | Enrico Cardile: "Failure is not an option"
Read more
Fernando Alonso on why Aston Martin Aramco has all the pieces it needs to win in F1's new era
Adrian Newey makes first trackside appearance for Aston Martin Aramco
Read more
Behind the Scenes: Adrian Newey joins Aston Martin Aramco
Read more
"The biggest part of the puzzle" – 13 quotes to take from Adrian Newey's reveal
Read more
Adrian Newey begins new chapter with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team
Read more
Aston Martin Aramco reaches milestone technical collaboration ahead of 2026 F1 regulations
Read moreAmplify your fan experience
From exclusive collabs to once-in-a-lifetime prizes, I / AM DROPS is a new series of unique and ultra-limited moments and fan experiences.
Sign up for I / AM or sign in to unlock.
