Aston Martin is going to change its director
The announcement has just been made. As part of the new regulations of 2026, the British team based in Silverstone is changing its setup. Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of Aston Martin since 2021, will hand over his position to Andy Cowell, former head of engines at the Mercedes team, starting from the month of October.
Distant from the paddocks since leaving Mercedes in June 2020, Andy Cowell is making his return to Formula 1. The British engineer, the ingenious designer of the 1.6-liter turbo V6 engines for Mercedes that allowed the German team to win all the constructor titles between 2014 and 2020, will join Aston Martin as the group’s managing director, under the leadership of executive chairman Lawrence Stroll, who is pleased with this recruitment.
I am delighted to welcome Andy to our team at a critical time. With our partnership with Honda, the commitment of our title partner Aramco, and Andy’s leadership, we are on track to become a winning team in the world championship. Andy has my full support and will have all the resources needed to succeed.
With the new engines coming on the horizon in 2026, Aston Martin is looking to quickly return to the top by recruiting experienced individuals who possess a winning culture like Andy Cowell. The main person concerned is well aware of the challenges he has to face in order to allow the team to reach the top.
A new role for Andy Cowell
“I am delighted to join Lawrence’s exciting project and I am looking forward to working with the talented group of people who have been brought together,” said the 55-year-old man, a former member of the Royal Academy of Engineering and engineer at BMW Motorsport from 2000 before joining Mercedes and Formula One from 2004.
« F1 has always been my passion for competition, and I am joining Aston Martin Aramco at an exciting time with the imminent completion of the AMR technology campus and our transition in 2026 to a full working team with our strategic partners Honda and Aramco. » The British team is therefore trying to ideally prepare for the new F1 engine regulations with new partnerships, staff, and a wind tunnel that should be operational this year.
The response from Martin Whitmarsh
« I have known Andy for many years and I brought him to Mercedes HPP in 2004, where he became managing director between 2013 and 2020, achieving huge success in the company and in sports. He will be an incredible asset for Aston Martin Aramco and will significantly contribute to the execution of our upcoming strategy. » McLaren’s former director is happy about Andy’s arrival at Aston Martin and ensures that this recruitment will be a success.
« Andy’s arrival in October and the completion of the AMR technology campus will allow me to step back and focus on other projects in my life, knowing that the foundations have been laid with an impressive team, an inspiring vision, and state-of-the-art facilities to achieve success in F1.
Lawrence Stroll’s reaction
After this announcement, CEO Lawrence Stroll wanted to thank Martin for the work he has done. “I want to thank Martin, who played a crucial role in the growth phase of our company. Over the past three years, he has developed the team and helped us reach significant milestones, particularly by fostering our relationship with Honda and delivering our state-of-the-art AMR technology campus in Silverstone.”
A change in Aston Martin’s organizational chart is essential for a team that needs to regain performance in order to once again be able, as last year, to compete at the front for podiums and victories.
