Aston Martin enters another period of change. Adrian Newey will lead the team next year.
Aston Martin have chosen a fresh direction for 2026. Major structural changes are now reshaping the entire Formula 1 project.
Adrian Newey Takes Control
Aston Martin have confirmed that Adrian Newey will become team principal next year. The appointment marks a major milestone for the organisation. It also highlights the growing influence Newey has gained since joining the team in March.
Newey arrived in March after leaving Red Bull. His move was widely viewed as one of the most significant shifts in Formula 1. Furthermore, many observers believed that he would soon become the central figure at Aston Martin due to his vast experience in design and team management.
The British engineer appears to have signed a five-year deal. It reportedly includes bonuses and add-ons worth up to £30m a year. His current role as managing technical partner gave him broad authority, yet the latest restructuring expands that authority even further.
The Removal of Andy Cowell
Andy Cowell will step aside from his post as team principal and chief executive officer. This decision comes only 13 months after he joined the team. However, the leadership change is not a dismissal in the traditional sense.
Cowell will become chief strategy officer. He will focus on the team’s engine partnership with Honda and their fuel suppliers. According to the team, this shift allows Newey and Cowell to “focus on their individual strengths and expertise, ensuring organisational efficiency”.
Why Newey Becomes the Authority
The team statement confirmed that Newey will guide the technical group. That includes the trackside operations of the car. This change reflects a broader realisation within the team.
Newey's record speaks for itself. He has won 12 drivers’ and 13 constructors’ championships with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. His influence makes him the de facto authority at Aston Martin.
Therefore, making him team principal appears logical. He will also become the team’s fourth team principal in four years after Otmar Szafnauer, Mike Krack and Cowell. Although this seems like instability, the team insists that this move provides long-term clarity.
Lawrence Stroll Explains the Decision
Team owner Lawrence Stroll praised Cowell. “Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year,” he said. Stroll highlighted Cowell’s role in building cohesion.
Stroll added: “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.”
The team boss also spoke positively about Newey. He said the new role would “enable him to make full use of his creative and technical expertise”. Although Stroll has been exploring leadership options for some time, he now appears committed to the new structure.
Newey’s Vision for 2026
Newey shared his enthusiasm for the task ahead. “Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our team,” he said. He expects greater progress as people settle into clearer roles.
He added: “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.” This long statement underscores the scale of the upcoming challenge.
Newey also stressed the value of Cowell’s new responsibilities. “Andy's new role, focusing on the integration of the new power-unit with our three key partners, will be pivotal in this journey.”
Cowell’s New Responsibilities
Cowell helped prepare Aston Martin for its future as a works team. The team said he “implemented the much-needed structural changes to support the transition to a full works team in readiness for the new regulations in 2026”. This acknowledgment shows that his work remains valued despite the leadership reshuffle.
He said in the statement that “having set the foundations” for Newey, it was “an appropriate time for me to take a different role”. The change gives him a chance to focus on strategic areas where he excels.
The team also believe his new focus will support Newey’s technical leadership. In addition, the structure aims to create harmony as Aston Martin navigate a complex era. The clarity may even help fans and punters engage more with the sport, especially with the rise of online sports betting linked to major Formula 1 storylines on platforms such as Easybet.