Aston Martin has announced a profound structural change for the 2026 season: technical legend Adrian Newey will be promoted from the previous head of the technical team to team boss. The previous team boss Andy Cowell will take over the role of head of strategy in the future. For Fernando Alonso, this step is not surprising – rather, it is “a logical development,” as he emphasized before the Qatar Grand Prix.
Alonso describes that Newey has already taken on responsibility far beyond his technical role: Although they mainly talked about technical topics, Newey also “managed the development of the car, structured the team, assessed personnel requirements and defined areas that needed to be strengthened.” He has already taken on many of the tasks of a team boss internally.
Cowell, who has only been on board for a year, was similarly involved – especially in the areas of engine development and integration. For Alonso, this inevitably results in the step of bundling responsibilities more clearly for the new season: “It is therefore a normal, logical step for 2026.”
Aston Martin relies on top personnel
The conversion comes after a disappointing season in which Aston Martin is currently only eighth in the constructors’ championship – a far cry from the highs seen in 2023, when the team achieved six podium places in the first eight races.
However, team owner Lawrence Stroll has invested heavily and secured the services of Newey and Cowell, among others. For Alonso, Aston Martin “probably has the two best experts”. One leads the vehicle concept and the team structure, the other controls engine development and its integration into the chassis.
Since Aston Martin will become a Honda factory team from 2026, Alonso believes the combination is ideal: “Between these three – Newey, Cowell and Lawrence – we are in good hands. Let’s move towards 2026, hopefully with a better car.”
Alonso raves about Newey’s uncompromising culture of perfection
When asked about Newey’s leadership style, Alonso answers clearly: “With Adrian there is only one principle: performance. There is no other word. It is the unlimited search for performance and perfection.”
He describes Newey as a “great competitor and great leader” whose influence will orient the team even more towards maximum performance. The team is already performance-oriented, but with Newey it will be “even more extreme”.
Why the structural change will strengthen Aston Martin in the long term
Aston Martin has expanded enormously in recent years, opening a new, larger factory right next to the Silverstone circuit and hiring numerous new employees. Many of them are young, new to the sport and full of energy – but they need leadership, said Alonso: “We must not forget that this team is still very young.”
“Many employees are new to Formula 1. They need the guidance of these great leaders to learn how to be successful in Formula 1.” For Alonso, Aston Martin now has “the two most successful individuals ever” in sport with Newey and Cowell – a strong foundation for the coming rule era.