Andy Cowell set to leave Mercedes
Head of Mercedes’ High Performance Powertrains department Andy Cowell is set to leave his current position next month, the team has announced it on Monday.
Mercedes has announced key changes to its senior management structure on Monday. The boss of its F1 powertrain department Andy Cowell will leave his current position on July 1 after he had informed the team of his decision in January.
After working on F1 engines for BMW and Corworth, the British engineer joined the company then known as Mercedes-Ilmor in 2004 as Principal Engineer for the F1 V10 engine project.
Since January 2013, Cowell has been Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains. Under his leadership, the team has won six Drivers’ and six Constructors’ Championships.
After stepping down as Managing Director, Cowell’s responsibilities will be split among the senior leadership team. Hywel Thomas is set to take over the role of Managing Director, with direct responsibility for the F1 Power Unit. Mercedes communicated that Cowell will continue to play a consultant role until at least early 2021, suporting the period of transition.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff considers the change to the team’s structure as a normal step as personal changes can bring in new ideas which is a basic feature of a successful business model.
“Andy's leadership of the team at HPP has been a key factor in our championship success in recent seasons. He has made an outstanding contribution to our motorsport legacy and I have valued and enjoyed our working relationship since 2013; I am sure he will enjoy great success in the next challenge he decides to take on.
“Our philosophy has always been that a winning team is a dynamic organisation, and that change is a natural part of every company's development. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to work together to create a new leadership structure, by building on the strength in depth of the team in Brixworth.”
Cowell has revealed that the reason for the decision is that he wants to find a new challenge in his professional life after working for Mercedes’ High Performance Powertrain department for a long period.
"After 16 enjoyable years working for HPP, I have decided that now is the right time to move on from my role and seek a new engineering business challenge.”
„I have appreciated the opportunity to work with Markus and Toto in defining the future leadership structure of the company and I have every confidence in the ability of Hywel and the team to lead the company forward,” he said.
