Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell privately disagreed on Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 approach

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Reports have suggested that Andy Cowell is set to leave Aston Martin in 2026, shortly after a team restructuring.

The British engineer served as Aston Martin team principal and CEO in 2025, taking over from Mike Krack, who left his post a year earlier. However, towards the end of last year, it was confirmed that Cowell would move into a new role.

Team owner Lawrence Stroll appointed Adrian Newey as team principal in 2026. The legendary designer, who joined Aston Martin from Red Bull in early 2025, had been their managing technical partner, and also has a minority stake in the team.

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Cowell has moved into the role of chief strategy officer for the upcoming regulation change. It was said by Newey that the 56-year-old had volunteered to help integrate their new engine supplier, Honda, into the team.

However, rumours of a dispute between Newey and Cowell had been rumbling, and the pair were believed to have clashed over Aston Martin’s 2026 preparations.

Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell’s philosophies for Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 car clashed

Speculation about disagreements between the two engineers have been going on since the end of last year. Paddock ‘spies’ even said Cowell had resigned from Aston Martin altogether, but Stroll convinced him to stay in his new role.

However, it has now been reported that Cowell will leave the Silverstone squad in June 2026. It comes, as per a report from F1-Insider, after a dispute with Newey over Aston Martin’s approach to the new regulations.

The pair’s ‘philosophies clashed’ behind the scenes, with Cowell wanting to focus on ‘powertrains and processes’. Meanwhile, Newey was keen on focusing on aerodynamics and the chassis, and the two could not find a ‘common approach’.

The AMR26’s appearance in testing in Barcelona would suggest that the team sided with Newey, as it has striking components to the suspension. Aston Martin are being ‘watched closely’ in Abu Dhabi as their rivals think they are pushing the boundaries of the regulations.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Aston Martin F1 team principal Adrian Newey

Aston Martin release statement amid Andy Cowell exit rumours

Amid the reports that Cowell is due to leave Aston Martin in the summer, the team have commented on the situation.

As per journalist Thomas Maher, the statement read: “Andy Cowell remains fully committed to Aston Martin Aramco F1 team as Chief Strategy Officer, helping to optimise our technical partnerships to ensure the seamless integration of the Team’s new PU, fuel and chassis.”

This statement, of course, does not deny that the Brit is departing the team. Furthermore, it would be foolish to assume that Cowell would not be committed to his role up until his last day with Aston Martin.

When that last day is, if the rumours are true, is another question. But it is clear that Newey has all the authority at Aston Martin in 2026 as he looks to build Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll a winning car.