Adrian Newey to take up Team Principal role at Aston Martin from 2026

Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team (AMF1) have announced changes to their leadership structure, which will see their current Team Principal, Andy Cowell, move to the role of Chief Strategy Officer next year, with Adrian Newey set to take up the role of Team Principal.

A veteran in the Formula One community, Newey started his career with Leyton House (previously March) back in 1988. He moved to Williams Racing as Head Designer in 1991 and enjoyed success there as Nigel Mansell won the Drivers’ title in 1992, while Williams won the Constructors’ title.

Newey moved to McLaren in 1997, where he enjoyed more success. He would then go on to spend nearly two decades with Red Bull, where he saw the Austrian outfit become one of the most dominant forces on the grid through multiple title-winning streaks with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. At the end of the 2024 season, Newey left Red Bull to join Aston Martin as their Managing Technical Partner.

Over the course of his storied career, the 66-year-old has designed cars that have gone on to win 12 Constructors’ titles and 14 Drivers’ titles.

Newey will remain Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner alongside taking on the Team Principal role and will oversee trackside operations. Cowell, meanwhile, will report directly to the Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll, in his new role as the Chief Strategy Officer.

Adrian Newey commented:

“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.”

Andy Cowell, current AMF1 Team Principal, 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, Executive Chairman, Aston Martin, added:

“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.”