Adrian Newey to Lead Aston Martin as Team Principal from 2026

Aston Martin has confirmed that design icon Adrian Newey will take over as Team Principal at the start of next year as part of an expanded role as Managing Technical Partner. Newey joined the team on March 1 after nearly twenty years with Red Bull and has already been working on the 2026 car.

Under his updated remit he will lead the technical department and oversee trackside operations. Andy Cowell, who has served as both Team Principal and CEO while overseeing major structural reforms, will move into the position of Chief Strategy Officer. His new responsibilities include strengthening technical cooperation with engine partner Honda, fuel supplier Aramco and lubricant partner Valvoline.

Aston Martin said the restructure aims to harness the specific strengths of Newey and Cowell to improve operational efficiency. Cowell will report to executive chairman Lawrence Stroll who remains in charge of the team’s business operations.

Newey said he had observed significant individual talent within the squad over the past nine months and was ready to take on greater responsibility as the team prepares for the 2026 rules reset and its debut as a works outfit.

Stroll praised Cowell’s contribution in shaping a stronger team culture and said the leadership shift was a joint decision taken for the benefit of the organisation. Cowell noted that with key changes already in place it was the right moment for him to shift focus to long-term technical integration.

Aston Martin have endured a challenging season and sit eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with two rounds remaining. Newey has been leading development of next year’s car which must comply with sweeping new chassis and power unit regulations, as the team aims for a fresh start and a move up the grid.

Kursiv also reports that Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 team principal, has agreed to sell a minority stake to George Kurtz.