Aston Martin has signed the man who masterminded Mercedes’ domination of the V6 hybrid turbo era as its new Group CEO.
Andy Cowell left Mercedes High Performance Powertrains at the end of January 2021 as the race team prepared for a season which saw them win their eighth consecutive constructors’ championship since the introduced of the current power unit formula. He will replace Martin Whitmarsh as Aston Martin’s Group CEO in October.
Aston Martin are Mercedes engine customers but will become Honda’s factory F1 team in 2026, when new power units are introduced.
Cowell entered Formula 1 with Cosworth before joining BMW when they entered F1 with Williams in 2000. He moved to Mercedes four years later.
Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll said Cowell’s signing is a further indication they are on course to become championship contenders.
“I would like to thank Martin who has been instrumental in our growth phase as a business,” he said. “In the last three years, he has developed the team and has helped us achieve some significant milestones, including fostering our relationship with Honda and delivering our state-of-the-art AMR Technology Campus at Silverstone.
“I am delighted to welcome Andy to our team at a crucial time. Together with our works partnership with Honda, the commitment from our title partner Aramco and Andy’s leadership we are on track to become a world championship winning team. Andy has my full backing and will have every resource available to win.”
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Whitmarsh said Cowell will be an “incredible asset” to Aston Martin. “I have known Andy for many years and brought him to Mercedes HPP in 2004 where he became managing director between 2013 and 2020, achieving huge success in the business and sport,” he said.
“Andy’s arrival in October and the completion of the AMR Technology Campus will allow me to step away and focus on other projects in my life, knowing that the foundations have been established with an impressive team, inspiring vision and advanced facilities to achieve success in F1.”
Aston Martin confirmed its driver line-up for 2026 earlier this month, re-signing Stroll’s son Lance on a multi-year deal alongside Fernando Alonso
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