Adrian Newey to be Aston Martin F1 Team Principal in 2026

Legendary car designer Adrian Newey is set to step into the role of Team Principal at Aston Martin’s Formula 1 team, the team has confirmed. 

Feature image credit: Aston Martin F1

Following his departure from a lengthy tenure at Red Bull Racing in March, Newey moved to Aston Martin this year. The team confirmed that he will replace current team boss Andy Cowell at the team next season. 

It follows an announcement by Aston Martin, who confirmed they are to make changes in its leadership structure. 

As such, Cowell and Newey will divide their responsibilities to ‘focus on their individual strengths and expertise.’ Cowell will take on the new role of Chief Strategy Officer, whilst Newey will become the team principal whilst guiding the technical team and overseeing trackside operations of the car. 

Qatar Grand Prix Preview: Championships on the line in penultimate round

“Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our Team,” Newey said on the announcement. 

“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.”

The change will be amongst other changes in the sport and the team itself. 2026 brings new technical and power unit regulations, plus an additional team will join the grid. 

However, Aston will also become a works team, powered by their new Honda power unit. The change is set to ensure ‘organisational efficiency,’ as Cowell will report directly to, Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll and will optimise the partnerships with the team, Honda, Aramco and Valcoline.

Stroll will continue to lead the team’s business functions.

Embed from Getty Images

“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,” commented Cowell. 

“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.”

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Qatar Grand Prix Preview: Championships on the line in penultimate round
• Gabriel Bortoleto given five-place grid penalty for Qatar GP after Lance Stroll crash
• Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified from Las Vegas Grand Prix
• Both McLaren cars at risk of disqualification of Las Vegas Grand Prix
• Max Verstappen keeps championship contention with Las Vegas Grand Prix win
• Lando Norris claims Las Vegas Grand Prix pole in challenging wet conditions

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with the latest news from ApexMotorsports.co.uk!

Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.