Overview
- Aston Martin confirmed that Adrian Newey will become team principal in 2026, with Andy Cowell moving to chief strategy officer to lead the Honda, Aramco and Valvoline integration.
- Newey said his workload will not materially change because he planned to attend the early races, and he stressed he is determined not to dilute his design work on the 2026 car.
- Team owner Lawrence Stroll told staff that Christian Horner will not join the team in any capacity, according to multiple reports from the Qatar Grand Prix paddock.
- Drivers including Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen welcomed Newey’s appointment, while Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko questioned whether full team principal duties suit his strengths.
- Reporting indicates some responsibilities may be delegated within senior management during 2026, with figures such as Mike Krack handling certain media tasks and longer‑term leadership options still under consideration.