F1 paddock ‘spies’ say Andy Cowell tried to leave Aston Martin after Adrian Newey dispute

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Andy Cowell will become Aston Martin’s chief strategy officer in 2026 after just one year as the team principal. This follows a reported dispute with Adrian Newey.

It’s widely claimed that Newey and Cowell were at odds over the ultimate hierarchy at Silverstone. The former started work as ‘managing technical partner’ in March.

But from 2026, Newey will take over the role of team principal. It’s unclear if his remit will be quite as expansive as that of Cowell.

Aston Martin appointing Adrian Newey as team principal WILL NOT WORK

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Meanwhile, the former Mercedes engine chief will work with new partners Honda as well as fuel suppliers Aramco.

Lawrence Stroll had to convince Andy Cowell to stay at Aston Martin

According to one employee, Aston Martin are ‘out of control’ behind the scenes. The anonymous figure says there are ‘too many chiefs’ and no clear power structure.

This was evident in the struggle between Newey and Cowell, even if the team have tried to paint the outcome as amicable.

Newey told Sky Sports in Qatar that Cowell had ‘very magnanimously volunteered’ to focus on integrating the Honda power unit, which opened up the team principal vacancy.

Joe Saward’s paddock ‘spies’ have painted a very different picture. They say that Cowell ‘actually resigned’ from the company altogether, but owner Lawrence Stroll convinced him to stay in a separate role.

Lawrence Stroll is seen as ruthless, but he gives his staff second chances

This isn’t the first time that Stroll has moved key staff around. Mike Krack was reassigned to lead Aston Martin’s trackside operation when Cowell became the boss.

And before that, Dan Fallows left his post as technical director but remained ‘within the group’ in a different capacity. Fallows has now departed the company altogether.

It’s thought that Newey may be a short-term appointment while the team look for a new leader who’s more comfortable dealing with the commercial and political responsibilities of the position.

Stroll says Aston Martin aren’t hiring Christian Horner even though he formed a largely successful tandem with Newey at Red Bull.