Aston Martin set to sack F1 team principal and CEO: Reports

Silverstone-based Aston Martin is reportedly set to sack their CEO and Team Principal, Andy Cowell. The British engineer joined Lawrence Stroll's group in 2024 as he replaced the former CEO, Martin Whitmarsh. However, in a little over a year at the Silverstone squad, Cowell is set to get sacked.

Billionaire Lawrence Stroll bought the Force India F1 team, and it was renamed as Aston Martin Racing in 2021. Stroll’s vision was to make the team a championship contender, and he invested hundreds of millions into the team for a new factory and state-of-the-art wind tunnel.

Lawrence Stroll and Co. also hired some of the top talent from the world of F1, including the likes of Dan Fallows, Enrico Cardile, Andy Cowell, and, most recently, Adrian Newey. Despite the investments, the team hasn't shown the results and has been a midfield team (except for the first half of 2023).

Amid the disappointing results and keeping the 2026 regulations in mind, Aston Martin recently fired multiple senior engineers which including the aerodynamics director, Eric Blandin. Formula.hu reported that “Cowell's position has become untenable after the recent news of the departures of several senior design figures”.

As per the reports, Andy Cowell is set to be sacked following the Las Vegas GP, where Lance Stroll crashed out of the race and Fernando Alonso finished outside the points.

F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas - Source: Getty

When an Aston Martin spokesperson was questioned about the sacking reports, he/she replied,

“An Aston Martin Aramco spokesperson explained the team will not be engaging in rumour or speculation," read a statement. The focus is on maximising performance in the remaining races and preparing for 2026.”

Aston Martin currently sits P7 in the F1 championship on 72 points, with Haas and Kick Sauber just 2 and 8 points behind them, respectively.

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Former McLaren Team Principal reported as Andy Cowell’s replacement at Aston Martin

Former McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl has been reported as Andy Cowell's replacement at Aston Martin. Seidl joined McLaren in 2019 as the Team Principal and left the Woking-based squad after the 2022 season. Seidl was then announced as the CEO of Sauber ahead of the 2023 season.

Soon, the announcement of Sauber becoming the Audi F1 from 2026 was confirmed as Andreas Seidl took over as the CEO of Audi. Unfortunately, just four months in, former Ferrari Boss Mattia Binotto was signed as the replacement for Seidl.

Aston Martin, on the other hand, signed Mike Krack as their Team Principal ahead of the 2022 season, but was recently shifted to the role of chief trackside engineer, with Andy Cowell taking over as the Team Principal and CEO.

Edited by Pranay Bhagi