The Aston Martin F1 team has announced Adria Newey as the new team principal, replacing Andy Cowell. Adrian will be taking charge of the team principal duties from the 2026 season as Andy resumes his role till the end of the current season. From the 2026 season, Andy will take a new role as Chief Strategy Officer, reporting to Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll. For the past 14 months, Andy Cowell has steered the team as CEO and Team Principal, driving key structural reforms to prepare for its evolution into a full works outfit ahead of the 2026 regulations.
Adrian Newey will serve as Managing Technical Partner, overseeing the technical team and trackside operations, before taking on the role of Team Principal from 2026. His appointment puts to rest speculation that former Red Bull boss Christian Horner might lead Aston Martin Aramco F1. Despite the rumours, Newey and Horner remain close friends, having worked together at Red Bull, where Newey played a pivotal role in championship wins with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
(from left to right) Fernando Alonso, Adrian Newey, Lawrence Stroll, and Lance Stroll
Aston Martin has endured a challenging season, sitting eighth in the Teams' Championship, three spots lower than last year, with only two race weekends remaining. Since joining in March, Adrian Newey has focused on next year's car, designed around the upcoming chassis and power unit regulations.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman, Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, 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."
Media reports suggest Aston Martin could be targeting Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for the 2027 season. Though no official confirmation has been made, Leclerc's recent frustration with Ferrari's performance has fueled speculation that a switch to Aston Martin may be on the cards.