Ex-Mercedes chief to join Aston Martin in key role

Aston Martin has announced the signing of ex-Mercedes engine chief Andy Cowell as Group Chief Executive Officer.

Cowell, in his previous role as Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains was the brainchild of the turbo hybrid power units introduced in 2014, and which powered Mercedes to eight consecutive constructors' titles. 

He stepped down in mid-2020. 

Cowell will join as CEO from October 1st with incumbent Martin Whitmarsh - the former McLaren team principal transitioning from his role by the end of the year.

Cowell will therefore play a crucial role with the team as it switches across to works Honda power units for the 2026 season, as it ends a long association with Mercedes power, stretching back to 2009 and the Force India guise for what is now Aston Martin.
 
"I am delighted to welcome Andy to our team at a crucial time," explained executive chairman Lawrence Stroll. 

"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."

Whitmarsh out, Cowell in

 Under Stroll's ownership, Aston Martin has invested in a brand-new factory at its Silverstone base, with the team also confirming Fernand Alonso and Lance Stroll as its drivers for the foreseeable future.

Results on track so far in 2024 have not matched the highs of early 2023, where Alonso bagged six podiums from the first eight races, and eight overall, but Cowell is confident to be joining at an "exciting time."

"I am thrilled to join Lawrence’s exciting project and look forward to working with the talented group of people that has been assembled," he said. 

"F1 has always been my competitive passion, and I am joining Aston Martin Aramco at an exciting time with the imminent completion of the AMR Technology Campus and our transition in 2026 to a full works team with our strategic partners Honda and Aramco."

As for Whitmarsh (below) he is stepping away to focus on "other projects" but feels he is leaving the role to the "incredible asset" Cowell. 

"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," said Whitmarsh. 

"He will be an incredible asset to Aston Martin Aramco and will make a significant contribution to the execution of our strategy going forward. 

"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."