Aston Martin has shaken up the leadership structure of its Formula 1 team while naming Adrian Newey as Team Principal for 2026 and beyond.
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The F1 team announced the news on Wednesday ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend. Newey, who joined Aston Martin as Managing Technical Partner in March, will move forward with added responsibilities. He will guide the technical team while leading the trackside operations.
Andy Cowell will move from CEO and Team Principal to the role of Chief Strategy Officer. According to F1's website, Cowell will focus on the technical partnerships between Aston Martin and engine supplier Honda, fuel supplier Aramco, and lubricant partner Valvoline.
Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll, addresses the team at AMRTC today to announce changes to leadership structure ahead of the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/lrzebjbBOj
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) November 26, 2025
"Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our Team," Newey said in a press release. "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."
Newey has a long history in F1, albeit with a different team. He spent nearly two decades with Oracle Red Bull Racing while helping the organization accumulate seven F1 Drivers' World Championship titles, six Constructors' Championship titles, and 118 victories.
Newey also worked with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to design the RB17, a hypercar boasting F1-level of performance and more than 1,000 horsepower.
"Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year," said Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll. "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."
