Aston Martin is searching for a new team principal to collaborate with Adrian Newey and enhance its upper management.
The search for this new team principal reportedly began in late 2025, coinciding with Newey’s appointment to succeed Andy Cowell.
Adrian Newey at the Helm of Aston Martin’s Team Principal Search
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Adrian Newey is leading Aston Martin’s quest for a new team principal, as revealed by PlanetF1.com. The 67-year-old has been assessing potential candidates for several months, even prior to his own shift into the top role and the team’s ongoing performance issues.
Newey took over as team principal in November 2025, after first joining Lawrence Stroll’s team as managing technical partner eight months earlier. Notably, Newey was enticed by a minority stake in the company, placing him above existing management.
Andy Cowell, who previously held the team principal role, ended his F1 hiatus to step into the position. However, following Newey’s arrival, significant disagreements about the team’s direction reportedly emerged—likely stemming from differing backgrounds; Cowell’s expertise is in power units, while Newey’s lies in aerodynamics.
Consequently, Cowell was repositioned, assuming responsibilities focused on power unit integration. Newey explained that Cowell’s expertise is critical for managing the relationship between Honda, Aramco, and Aston Martin for the upcoming power unit challenges.
While Newey’s move to team principal was unexpected due to its administrative demands, he was clear about his intention not to compromise his focus on car design. Sources indicated a six-month plan for him to act in this capacity, and discussions with prospective candidates have been ongoing since before last season’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Potential Candidates for Team Principal
Several candidates have reportedly been considered for the team principal position, including former Aston Martin Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh, and GianPiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer at Red Bull. However, Lambiase declined the opportunity to remain with his current team.
Recent contacts have also involved senior management at Audi, with Mattia Binotto turning down a move while Jonathan Wheatley’s response is still pending. Andreas Seidl, former McLaren team principal, has emerged as a leading candidate, maintaining a preference for an F1 return, while Christian Horner’s absence from the sport is ending soon, potentially opening the door for him as well.
The extended timeframe for finding a new team principal has raised questions, with concerns that the next hire may face similar challenges to those experienced by Cowell under Newey’s oversight. Aston Martin appears to be deliberately ensuring the right appointment for future stability, aided by Newey’s involvement during this interim period.
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