Teams battle for F1’s best engineers
Andy Cowell, former technical director of Mercedes HPP, joins Aston Martin and replaces Martin Withmarsh as director. Red Bull team manager Christian Horner admits to having tried to recruit him, as have many other teams, revealing the media's hidden agenda.
Since he left Mercedes in 2020, Andy Cowell, technical director, had not made his return to Formula 1. Considered one of the best in the field with seven constructors’ championships under his belt, he is one of the key elements to have in one’s team.
This is not the only one. Among the battles that teams are fighting, not all of them are on track. Therefore, recruiting the rare gem for their team has become one of the horse battles in F1 in recent months. Experienced individuals who stand out are few. These individuals are valuable and with the race for tenths separating each car currently, any contribution can be significant. Andy Cowell is the perfect example.
A talent to have in one’s stable
As he will join Aston Martin to replace Martin Withmarsh as team principal, Christian Horner revealed that each of the engine manufacturers, namely Ferrari, Audi, Renault, Mercedes, and Honda, had tried to recruit him after his departure.
« Andy is a great guy, he is a very competent engineer and did a great job at HPP, he was the main pillar of this project, acknowledged Red Bull’s team director «. He chose to leave Mercedes and spend some time away from Formula 1, and of course, I think every engine manufacturer talked to him during this time ». But Andy Cowell finally chose to join Aston Martin.
Cowell’s arrival at Aston Martin is strategic, as the team must face the new regulations of 2026 which could allow them to return to the top of the rankings. Last year, Aston Martin had managed to be a competitive team from the first races of the season, but this year the team owned by Lawrence Stroll seems to be lagging behind. Andy Cowell’s return to Formula 1 could put Aston Martin back in the competition.
A major asset for Aston Martin
The interest in the former Mercedes technical director has been widely shared by Mike Krack, current team principal at Aston Martin. “When we look back, wherever he has been, there has been success,” said Mike Krack. “So, he must have a very good ability to manage people, infrastructures, and budgets. I have only heard positive feedback from those who have worked with him, and that’s why I am very optimistic about our collaboration,” he added.
As expressed by the director himself, Andy Cowell’s experience will be an asset for the years to come. If you look at (the factory), what is happening there is very impressive, the factory and the wind tunnel are at the forefront of technology, and Andy holds Honda in high esteem. There are many elements at play that can ensure a promising future as CEO of the group, confirmed Mike Krack.
Lawrence Stroll, who has been very persuasive in his approach, seems to have succeeded in obtaining a crucial member for the development of his single-seater. A choice that Christian Horner and other teams would have liked to share.
The recruitment of Cowell by Aston Martin is therefore a winning transfer for the team, especially with the planned changes for 2026. With a new factory in Silverstone and Honda as a partner, the team hopes to regain its performance level from the previous year.
