Aston Martin targets big improvements for 2026
Aston Martin has recently announced a change of team principal as part of a major management reshuffle, with CEO Andy Cowell taking over the position previously held by Mike Krack.
The British outfit explained that the change was necessary "for clarity of leadership and as part of a shift to a flatter structure". Andy Cowell will continue to assume the role of CEO, but he will also act as team principal from now on.
Aston Martin has also announced that it has separated its aerodynamics, engineering and performance departments into two divisions, with one dedicated trackside and the second one the AMR Technology Campus-based team. Both divisions will report into Andy Cowell.
The trackside team will be led by former team boss Mike Krack, who will take on the role of Chief Trackside Officer.
The AMR Technology Campus-based team will be spearheaded by the team's new Chief Technical Officer, Enrico Cardile. Ferrari's former chief designer will oversee the architecture, design and build of new race cars.
Tom McCullough will remain with Aston Martin in a leadership position, but he will move away from the F1 division to focus on the expansion of the team's broader range of racing categories.
Asked about Aston Martin's approach, Cowell has revealed that the Silverstone-based outfit wants to set its goals high as he thinks this approach is the only way to get to the sharp end of the field.
"Everyone wants the fastest car, but the only way you're going to get it is if you set targets that are really going to stretch you, that are wildly ambitious. That's what we're here to do – there's no point designing and building an F1 car that isn't the fastest.
"That fear you feel. That unknown. That trepidation. That question mark over whether something is even possible. That's where you need to be operating because when you're pushing that hard into uncharted territory, when you're going beyond what's gone before, that's when you're going to be outperforming your competitors.
"Formula One is all about competitive ingenuity. People in this sport are pioneers. You have to be if you want to fulfil the ambition of becoming a World Champion. And that is our ambition.
"There is no sport where becoming a World Champion is easy. Hard work is a given. It's not enough to come up with ideas that nobody else has come up with, you need to make those ideas work.
"And it's daunting because, if you're truly pioneering and using your ingenuity, there's no reference point: you can't look at someone else and say, 'Well they've made it work, therefore it must be possible.'
Asked what he has concentrated in recent months, Cowell has revealed that he has been busy with trying to getting to know the team member at the Aston Martin F1 outfit.
"My first task has been getting to know people. I've spent a lot of time talking to people: speaking to those within the business and those outside the business, such as our partners Aramco and Honda.
"My experience is all in power units, I don't have direct experience of the world of aerodynamics or creating a Formula One car in its entirety, so that's given me plenty of opportunity to ask lots of questions.
"Just talking to people and listening. The listening part is the really important bit. It sounds so basic but it's been crucial for me to get an understanding of who everyone is, what their roles are, how everything fits together, how the organisation is working, where things are working well and where things can be improved," concluded Cowell.
