Adrian Newey has ‘made it clear’ to Aston Martin he will not do three things as their team principal

Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Martin will have a new team principal in the 2026 season, as Adrian Newey will add another remit to his role as their managing technical partner and 5% shareholder.

The 66-year-old officially joined Aston Martin following the conclusion of his gardening leave in March after quitting Red Bull in May 2024. Newey joined the Silverstone natives on a five-year contract, with the initial aim of leading the design of their car for F1’s 2026 regulations.

Aston Martin have decided to conduct a major restructuring of their leadership that will see Newey replace Andy Cowell as their team principal from 2026. Cowell will also leave his role as CEO to become chief strategy officer and he will work closely with engine partner Honda.

Team owner Lawrence Stroll is betting big on the 2026 F1 regulations being the silver bullet that Aston Martin need to fight at the front of the field, with Newey at the core of his plans. Stroll made Newey a 5% shareholder in the Aston Martin F1 team to ensure that he joined.

Adrian Newey refuses to attend F1 team principal meetings in his new role at Aston Martin

Aston Martin’s leadership reshuffle with Newey put in charge will come at a key time for the team. There are fears that Honda’s 2026 rules engine for Aston Martin is overweight, and it is even said that Aston Martin were in a state of chaos with too many leaders wanting a say.

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

Newey also ‘made it clear’ to Stroll what he is not willing to do as Aston Martin’s new team principal, before agreeing to take up the role from the 2026 F1 season. That is according to Autosport Web, which reports that Newey intends to delegate a host of his responsibilities.

The Briton, who is the most successful car designer in F1 history, does not plan on attending any F1 team principal meetings, unless they are to discuss technical matters. He also refuses to attend any events for Aston Martin’s sponsors and does not intend to speak to the media.

Newey will delegate the duties that he has no interest in fulfilling to Mike Krack, who Cowell only replaced as Aston Martin’s team principal this January. Krack was moved to the role of chief trackside officer, but he has continued to do certain duties when Cowell is not on site.

Lawrence Stroll will hope Adrian Newey can have a Midas touch on the winless Aston Martin F1 team

Stroll seemingly agreed to Newey’s demands to appoint him as Aston Martin’s newest team principal for the 2026 F1 season. The 66-year-old will become their fourth boss through the past four years, following Otmar Szafnauer (2018-‘22), Krack (2022-‘25) and Cowell (2025).

Newey also appeared to hold firm to his refusal to speak to the media in Qatar following his announcement as Aston Martin’s team principal from 2026. He held just two interviews last weekend in Lusail, having spoken briefly with Sky Sports and with F1’s official media team.

Aston Martin have also started to make further changes to their leadership already, beyond Newey’s additional duties. Paul Field has joined Aston Martin as their chief operating officer, marking a reunion with Newey having joined from Red Bull after 17 years in Milton Keynes.

Stroll will hope Newey can now have the Midas touch on a team who have never won an F1 Grand Prix through 119 entries to date. Aston Martin, including across the brand’s two years on the grid in 1959 and 1960 before returning in 2021, have only taken nine podiums so far.