Since Lawrence Stroll took charge of the team, Aston Martin has been in constant evolution, continually adding pieces to prepare for a future world championship battle.
The last two years, in particular, have been a rollercoaster internally and in terms of performance. While results on the track have fallen short of the team’s ambitions—2024 was a year with more setbacks than successes—the organization has continued to take shape, bolstered by new high-profile engineers and cutting-edge equipment.
After completing the first phase of its transformation, including moving to a new headquarters, Aston Martin advanced further in 2025 with the construction of its wind tunnel and simulator. At the same time, prominent names like Bob Bell, Andy Cowell, Enrico Cardile, and the crown jewel Adrian Newey joined the team.
Andy Cowell, the former CEO of Mercedes Powertrain, symbolizes this latest reorganization. In addition to being appointed CEO in October, replacing Martin Whitmarsh, he has also taken on the role of Team Principal. The British engineer officially succeeded Mike Krack, whose experience will remain valuable as he transitions to Chief Trackside Officer, ensuring continuity and serving as a bridge between Cowell and the trackside team.
The changes aren’t limited to the team’s sporting domain but also extend to the technical realm, with Enrico Cardile taking on a new top position overseeing projects. Meanwhile, Tom McCullough, the former Performance Director, will no longer focus on the F1 project, instead driving the team’s expansion into other motorsport categories.
A new structure for greater efficiency
Cowell’s reorganization, granted “full powers” by Stroll to prepare the Silverstone-based team for future championship contention, reflects more than just role changes. It’s a response to challenges Aston Martin faced over the past 18 months, which ultimately led to the departure of former technical director Dan Fallows, though he remains part of the group.
As stated in the team’s announcement about adopting a more horizontal structure, “to ensure better car performance, the aerodynamics, engineering, and performance departments have evolved into separate, dedicated teams working both at the track and the AMR technology campus, all reporting to Cowell.”
Cowell’s arrival as Team Principal, Krack’s repositioning to focus solely on trackside matters, and the team’s restructuring to clarify roles related to car performance during races and at the factory aim to address critical issues identified by Cowell during his first 100 days at Aston Martin.
In his first public appearance as CEO in October, Cowell revealed that even before officially taking on the role, he had started early to assess the team’s state, meet staff, and begin discussions with partners like Aramco and Honda in preparation for 2026.
Making 900 people work efficiently is challenge number one
One of Cowell’s key focus areas in that interview was communication, specifically how to make a 900-strong and growing team work more effectively, leveraging his prior experiences.
“If we weren’t efficient as a company, it made me angry. I’ve used this approach in other areas, and I think it’s what I’ll bring to Aston Martin: analyzing the group’s efficiency, starting with the aerodynamics department,” Cowell said about a month after officially taking office, emphasizing that aerodynamics required particular attention.
“When it comes to the company as a whole, how do we ensure that the 900 people in Silverstone are well-organized so their day is efficient? Overlapping responsibilities make me angry, but even more so if there’s a void or lack of communication. How do we make 900 people work efficiently? Writing reports and having endless meetings—I don’t like those things much,” the CEO added.
From the outset, Cowell has been clear about his goals: not only to create a winning team but also to build one that can achieve success by maximizing efficiency and getting the best out of every individual. “My job is to create a team where everyone knows their role and responsibilities. And it’s my responsibility to discuss with each of them how they can improve.”
“There are 900 people, some trackside, many in the factory. That’s my job, without being verbose. Two-page job descriptions put me to sleep after the first paragraph. It’s about a few bullet points on what’s expected of someone. Everyone understands that.”
Clear division between track and factory
As part of this shift toward a more horizontal structure, Cowell has aimed to clearly separate trackside and factory roles to ensure the team operates more efficiently without overburdening individuals.
For instance, while Krack’s new role might be perceived as a demotion given a disappointing 2024 and the team’s struggles to follow a clear growth trajectory, it is more of a clarification of how Aston Martin’s structure is evolving.
Mike Krack will continue to focus on everything directly related to the track, maximizing the team’s potential during race weekends. He will serve as a consistent presence for GPs where Cowell might not be available. Meanwhile, administrative, management, and major decision-making responsibilities will fall to the new Team Principal and CEO. At the factory, former Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile will be the primary point of contact, still reporting to Cowell.
Cowell’s vision is for a more streamlined and simplified organization with clearer roles. This is why the changes announced in January are not merely role adjustments but a fundamental reorganization touching the very foundation of the team.
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