Aston Martin has announced that former Mercedes Formula 1 engine boss Andy Cowell will become the team’s Group Chief Executive Officer from October onwards.
Cowell has been credited with an integral role in the dominance which saw Mercedes win an unprecedented seven consecutive title doubles between 2014 and 2020.
The Briton served as Managing Director at Mercedes AMG HPP from 2013 until 2020 and oversaw the V6-hybrid power unit that elevated the marque to the pinnacle.
Cowell opted to depart the then-reigning champions in mid-2020 to step back, but he will now return as Aston Martin strives to transcend into championship winners.
The Silverstone-based squad has been unable to build upon a promising season last term with an AMR24 car that has seen it struggle to score points in recent races.
Cowell will replace current Aston Martin CEO Martin Whitmarsh, who took over the role in 2021, and will be phased out to allow his successor to take over in October.
He will report to Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll, who has revealed that Cowell will help with the team’s impending partnership with Honda in 2026.
“I am thrilled to join Lawrence’s exciting project and look forward to working with the talented group of people that has been assembled,” Cowell 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.”
Lawrence Stroll added: “I would like to thank Martin who has been instrumental in our growth phase as a business. 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.”
Meanwhile, Whitmarsh has backed Cowell to be an “incredible asset” to Aston Martin’s F1 venture and divulged that he plans to allocate his attention to other work.
“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,” Whitmarsh explained. “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.”
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