Ferrari is reportedly holding back former Technical Director Enrico Cardile from starting his new position at Formula 1 rivals Aston Martin until the summer.
Caridle left Ferrari last July and took gardening leave when it was announced he would be joining Aston Martin as its new Chief Technical Officer.
But despite Aston Martin CEO and Team Principal Andy Cowell claiming during the launch of the AMR25 that Cardile “will oversee the architecture, design and construction of the new cars,” he is yet to take up his proper post in Silverstone.
The reason being, according to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, is that Ferrari has requested Cardile’s gardening leave is a full 12 months, preventing him from joining Aston Martin until July 17.
With both the engine and chassis regulations changing in 2026, this delay will hinder Aston Martin’s progress developing its challenger for next year.
Owner Lawrence Stroll’s team is putting considerable effort into capitalising on the incoming regulation cycle and the delay of Cardile’s arrival means Aston Martin will have to wait to benefit from the former Ferrari man’s expertise.
Still, Monday brings the arrival of Managing Technical Partner Adrian Newey, who is more than a steady pair of hands to steer 2026 development in the meantime.
Cowell coy on Cardile
It’s unsurprising that in conversation with select media, including Motorsport Week, that Cowell was unable to give a definitive answer when asked when Cardile will start at Aston Martin.
“We’re looking forward to having a… I guess what we’re looking forward to is having a thousand people working well together,” was Cowell’s response.
“We’re looking forward to Adrian joining. We’re looking forward to the dozens of new starters that we have every month.
“I think it was 248 through the 2024 calendar year. So we’re looking forward to having everybody together and working well as a team, each member having clear responsibilities from Adrian, myself, down to interns working for us for 12 months in their degree.”
Moreover, Cowell wasn’t able to definitively say when and if Cardile will be involved in developing Aston Martin’s 2026 car.
“I think everybody’s… there’s a big group of people already working on the 2026 car, pushing forwards,” he said.
“And as we add people in, then we get stronger. And increased capacity, increased experience just helps push us forwards.”
There’s no such problems when it comes to Newey, however, with Cowell revealing the F1 design guru’s office at Silverstone is ready and waiting.
“I could show you a photo, but there’s too many of you to look at the image on my phone,” he said.
“So yes, his office is ready. The drawing board’s there.”
READ MORE – How Aston Martin plans to integrate F1 design chiefs Adrian Newey and Enrico Cardile
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