Aston Martin is on the lookout for a new team principal to bolster its leadership alongside Adrian Newey. This search began in late 2025, after Newey took over the role from Andy Cowell. His arrival marked a significant shift in the team’s management structure.
Adrian Newey’s Role and Transition
Adrian Newey, 67, stepped into the team principal position in November 2025. His transition to this leadership role came after eight months as the managing technical partner for Lawrence Stroll’s team. Newey’s minority shareholding positioned him above existing management, prompting a re-evaluation of the team’s direction.
Andy Cowell, the former team principal, returned from a sabbatical to lead the team but experienced fundamental disagreements with Newey regarding the team’s development focus. Cowell’s expertise lay in power units, while Newey’s strength was in aerodynamics. Consequently, Cowell’s responsibilities shifted to power unit integration.
Strategic Focus under Newey
Newey emphasized the need to maintain focus on car design, expressing his reluctance to take on more administrative tasks. He indicated that his role would be temporary, aiming to ensure that the team does not lose momentum in car performance. Newey stated he would manage both the principal role and early races without diluting his design responsibilities.
Search for a New Team Principal
The search for a new team principal has reportedly involved a number of candidates since before the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Newey, along with Chief Technical Officer Enrico Cardile, is keen on optimizing team structure and addressing shifting priorities.
- Martin Whitmarsh, a former CEO of Aston Martin Group, has been approached.
- GianPiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer, was also considered but declined the offer.
- Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley, senior management figures at Audi, engaged in discussions with Aston Martin.
- Andreas Seidl, the former McLaren team principal, is regarded as a leading candidate.
- Christian Horner, ex-CEO of Red Bull, could also be available soon, as his absence from Formula 1 ends soon.
Factors Impacting the Hiring Process
Despite the initiation of this hiring process several months ago, a new team principal has yet to be appointed. Concerns pertaining to the stability of the new hire, in light of Cowell’s turbulent exit, may be influencing decision-making. Additionally, the team aims to ensure they secure a candidate who aligns with their long-term vision.
With Adrian Newey at the helm for the time being, Aston Martin is taking a measured approach to its leadership search. The goal is to find a suitable replacement who can help navigate the team through the challenges ahead.
