Adrian Newey will assume the role of team principal at Aston Martin from 2026 onwards, with current team principal and CEO Andy Cowell moving to the role of chief strategy officer.
The news has come after intense speculation over the future leadership of the team, including reports former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner could join.
A statement from Aston Martin said Cowell and Newey “have agreed to divide their responsibilities in order to focus on their individual strengths and expertise, ensuring organisational efficiency.”
Newey, whose cars have won 12 constructors’ titles over the course of his career, arrived at Aston Martin earlier this season as a shareholder in the team.
The 66-year-old joined the team in the position of managing technical partner, but his shareholding meant his role was always more senior than any other technical director in F1.
Cowell, who has been with the team for 14 months, took over the role of team principal from Mike Krack at the start of this year.
Adrian Newey will take over as team principal at Aston Martin. Darren Staples/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The former Mercedes engine boss will now move into a new role that will see him work closely with new power unit supplier Honda as well as Aramco and Valvoline, which will supply the team with fuel and lubricants from next year.
Aston Martin’s statement said majority owner and executive chairman, Lawrence Stroll, would continue to lead the team’s business functions.
“Andy Cowell has been a great leader this year,” Stroll said. “He’s focused 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.
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“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.”
Newey added: “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.”
Aston Martin has invested heavily in a new factory and wind tunnel in recent years with the aim of fighting for wins and championships under a new set of technical regulations in 2026.
“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,” Cowell said.
“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.”
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, Aston Martin is currently eighth in this year’s constructors’ standings after losing seventh place to Haas at last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
