2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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CHT
CHT
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 05:24

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 00:52
peewon wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 00:39
TyreSlip wrote:
10 Feb 2026, 20:23


Andy Cowell was highly regarded at Mercedes and has only been with the team a little more than a year. Aston Martin was in crisis with its Texas update in 2024 when Cowell first arrived. He certainly cannot be responsible for the 2025 car.

I trust Newey but he is not going to be at the team forever. All of these high-profile signings have to be given a chance to do their jobs in order to build synergy and not be undermined or have their roles downsized simply because of Newey.
As of now, I see only two possibilities. Either things have gone really bad on the engine side and that was supposed to be his main utility or they are just phasing him into a different role for cost cap purposes possibly.
I wouldn't read that from that. Andy Cowell had a job at Merc in the UK on the PU side. He retired from that job a few years ago. He didn't want to do that anymore. From the interviews I saw from him, he said he came back to do something different. He was gonna leverage the CEO job to learn aero. Newey said, he didn't have the qualifications to do that and sent him off to work with Honda. We don't know if Honda needed him or wanted him. So it could be Honda didn't want him, he's back to doing what he was before and he doesn't want to do that anymore OR he doesn't want to do it Japan.

100%, he's NOT leaving cause the PU is cr@p. I'm not saying the PU is or isn't cr@p, just that Cowell doesn't seem to me to be a guy that would leave cause it's too big of a challenge.

According to AMR GP Limited tax filing, Andy Cowell role is Group CEO, not just limited to engine project with Honda.
Andrew Cowell officially resigned as director on 31/12/2025, and termination announcement was made this week confirming his termination. Which is to say Andy Cowell service at AMR has been terminated just one year after replacing Martin Whitmarsh. And this may be disruptive because there must be many key engineer Andy brought into AMR who are aligned with his vision.

Although Adrian Martin Newey was introduced as shareholder for AMR, but his name is not listed as director or shareholder of any company within AMR group. Perhaps, he is given the options to buy in as shareholder, which may or may not happen depending on performance in 2026.


https://find-and-update.company-informa ... 4/officers

People
In July, the Company announced that Andy Cowell would be joining as Group Chief Executive Officer,
succeeding Martin Whitmarsh. Andy was previously the Managing Director of Mercedes AMG HPP during the
successful V6 turbo-hybrid era where they supplied the Mercedes F1 team power units, winning both the
Drivers' and Constructors' Championships for seven consecutive years. He brings with him a wealth of
leadership experience that will help the team in its journey to become Formula One World Championship
contenders.


The Company also announced in September that Adrian Newey would be joining the team in 2025. Adrian's
unparalleled success has seen him design cars which have won 25 Formula One world titles, establishing his
position as the greatest technical mind in the sport's history. Adrian will join the Group as Managing Technical
Partner, and as a shareholder, demonstrating his long-term commitment to the Company's strategic objectives.

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peewon
4
Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 03:11

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 00:52


I wouldn't read that from that. Andy Cowell had a job at Merc in the UK on the PU side. He retired from that job a few years ago. He didn't want to do that anymore. From the interviews I saw from him, he said he came back to do something different. He was gonna leverage the CEO job to learn aero. Newey said, he didn't have the qualifications to do that and sent him off to work with Honda. We don't know if Honda needed him or wanted him. So it could be Honda didn't want him, he's back to doing what he was before and he doesn't want to do that anymore OR he doesn't want to do it Japan.

100%, he's NOT leaving cause the PU is cr@p. I'm not saying the PU is or isn't cr@p, just that Cowell doesn't seem to me to be a guy that would leave cause it's too big of a challenge.
I was not aware of his interview. Thats a bit weird to be honest. I see Newey as someone who values organizational efficiency highly so it would make sense he would not sign off for an on job training program for Cowell. I know Cowell wouldnt quit but more of being pushed out if considering cost cap rules if he isnt providing value to the development of the PU side.

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diffuser
259
Joined: 07 Sep 2012, 13:55
Location: Montreal

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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peewon wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 01:51
diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 00:52


I wouldn't read that from that. Andy Cowell had a job at Merc in the UK on the PU side. He retired from that job a few years ago. He didn't want to do that anymore. From the interviews I saw from him, he said he came back to do something different. He was gonna leverage the CEO job to learn aero. Newey said, he didn't have the qualifications to do that and sent him off to work with Honda. We don't know if Honda needed him or wanted him. So it could be Honda didn't want him, he's back to doing what he was before and he doesn't want to do that anymore OR he doesn't want to do it Japan.

100%, he's NOT leaving cause the PU is cr@p. I'm not saying the PU is or isn't cr@p, just that Cowell doesn't seem to me to be a guy that would leave cause it's too big of a challenge.
I was not aware of his interview. Thats a bit weird to be honest. I see Newey as someone who values organizational efficiency highly so it would make sense he would not sign off for an on job training program for Cowell. I know Cowell wouldnt quit but more of being pushed out if considering cost cap rules if he isnt providing value to the development of the PU side.
That's just my take on what I've read. Doesn't mean it has to be true. Although Newey did say
“…it became very evident that, with the challenge of the ’26 PU, Andy’s skill set, in terms of helping the three-way relationship between Honda, Aramco and ourselves, is absolutely his skillset.”. It isn't about taking 1 or classes. He's expecting to lead guys that have PHDs and years of experience in this stuff. It's a big jump.

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zoroastar
6
Joined: 31 Aug 2017, 08:04

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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CHT wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 01:22
diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 00:52
peewon wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 00:39


As of now, I see only two possibilities. Either things have gone really bad on the engine side and that was supposed to be his main utility or they are just phasing him into a different role for cost cap purposes possibly.
I wouldn't read that from that. Andy Cowell had a job at Merc in the UK on the PU side. He retired from that job a few years ago. He didn't want to do that anymore. From the interviews I saw from him, he said he came back to do something different. He was gonna leverage the CEO job to learn aero. Newey said, he didn't have the qualifications to do that and sent him off to work with Honda. We don't know if Honda needed him or wanted him. So it could be Honda didn't want him, he's back to doing what he was before and he doesn't want to do that anymore OR he doesn't want to do it Japan.

100%, he's NOT leaving cause the PU is cr@p. I'm not saying the PU is or isn't cr@p, just that Cowell doesn't seem to me to be a guy that would leave cause it's too big of a challenge.

According to AMR GP Limited tax filing, Andy Cowell role is Group CEO, not just limited to engine project with Honda.
Andrew Cowell officially resigned as director on 31/12/2025, and termination announcement was made this week confirming his termination. Which is to say Andy Cowell service at AMR has been terminated just one year after replacing Martin Whitmarsh. And this may be disruptive because there must be many key engineer Andy brought into AMR who are aligned with his vision.

Although Adrian Martin Newey was introduced as shareholder for AMR, but his name is not listed as director or shareholder of any company within AMR group. Perhaps, he is given the options to buy in as shareholder, which may or may not happen depending on performance in 2026.


https://find-and-update.company-informa ... 4/officers

People
In July, the Company announced that Andy Cowell would be joining as Group Chief Executive Officer,
succeeding Martin Whitmarsh. Andy was previously the Managing Director of Mercedes AMG HPP during the
successful V6 turbo-hybrid era where they supplied the Mercedes F1 team power units, winning both the
Drivers' and Constructors' Championships for seven consecutive years. He brings with him a wealth of
leadership experience that will help the team in its journey to become Formula One World Championship
contenders.


The Company also announced in September that Adrian Newey would be joining the team in 2025. Adrian's
unparalleled success has seen him design cars which have won 25 Formula One world titles, establishing his
position as the greatest technical mind in the sport's history. Adrian will join the Group as Managing Technical
Partner, and as a shareholder, demonstrating his long-term commitment to the Company's strategic objectives.
it could mean that, or it could mean that people saw a termination announcement from december and assumed that he was leaving, only to be moved to another part of the company. that is around the time that he was moved to the "honda helper" role, isnt it? aston martin are claiming that they dont know anything about it though, and that hes gonna continue working there. guess well just have to wait and see.

when somebody is suddenly moved to a job that they didnt sign up for, its usually just a matter of time before they are gone at AM though.

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zoroastar
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Joined: 31 Aug 2017, 08:04

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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https://racingnews365.com/fia-prepared- ... ason-nears

looks like mercedes engine tricks may not be the only thing getting some scrutiny. teams are apparently asking about some of the amr26. i take that as a good sign

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zoroastar
6
Joined: 31 Aug 2017, 08:04

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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zoroastar wrote:
10 Feb 2026, 02:38
SSJ4 wrote:
10 Feb 2026, 02:05
A lot of talk in spain is Alonso staying for 2027 if the car shows good progress and him saying it himself.
But yeah same stuff has been reiterated regarding this season will be about who can develop the best
yeah i think hell be around next year unless they come out in australia and shock everyone with a race winner. a lot of things can happen over the first half of the season, but i suspect it may take honda a while before they will compete seriously. hopefully they can at least be competitive at certain tracks on chassis alone. lets see though.
from the horses mouth...
https://racingnews365.com/fernando-alon ... e-decision

CHT
CHT
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 05:24

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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zoroastar wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 03:41
CHT wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 01:22
diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 00:52


I wouldn't read that from that. Andy Cowell had a job at Merc in the UK on the PU side. He retired from that job a few years ago. He didn't want to do that anymore. From the interviews I saw from him, he said he came back to do something different. He was gonna leverage the CEO job to learn aero. Newey said, he didn't have the qualifications to do that and sent him off to work with Honda. We don't know if Honda needed him or wanted him. So it could be Honda didn't want him, he's back to doing what he was before and he doesn't want to do that anymore OR he doesn't want to do it Japan.

100%, he's NOT leaving cause the PU is cr@p. I'm not saying the PU is or isn't cr@p, just that Cowell doesn't seem to me to be a guy that would leave cause it's too big of a challenge.

According to AMR GP Limited tax filing, Andy Cowell role is Group CEO, not just limited to engine project with Honda.
Andrew Cowell officially resigned as director on 31/12/2025, and termination announcement was made this week confirming his termination. Which is to say Andy Cowell service at AMR has been terminated just one year after replacing Martin Whitmarsh. And this may be disruptive because there must be many key engineer Andy brought into AMR who are aligned with his vision.

Although Adrian Martin Newey was introduced as shareholder for AMR, but his name is not listed as director or shareholder of any company within AMR group. Perhaps, he is given the options to buy in as shareholder, which may or may not happen depending on performance in 2026.


https://find-and-update.company-informa ... 4/officers

People
In July, the Company announced that Andy Cowell would be joining as Group Chief Executive Officer,
succeeding Martin Whitmarsh. Andy was previously the Managing Director of Mercedes AMG HPP during the
successful V6 turbo-hybrid era where they supplied the Mercedes F1 team power units, winning both the
Drivers' and Constructors' Championships for seven consecutive years. He brings with him a wealth of
leadership experience that will help the team in its journey to become Formula One World Championship
contenders.


The Company also announced in September that Adrian Newey would be joining the team in 2025. Adrian's
unparalleled success has seen him design cars which have won 25 Formula One world titles, establishing his
position as the greatest technical mind in the sport's history. Adrian will join the Group as Managing Technical
Partner, and as a shareholder, demonstrating his long-term commitment to the Company's strategic objectives.
it could mean that, or it could mean that people saw a termination announcement from december and assumed that he was leaving, only to be moved to another part of the company. that is around the time that he was moved to the "honda helper" role, isnt it? aston martin are claiming that they dont know anything about it though, and that hes gonna continue working there. guess well just have to wait and see.

when somebody is suddenly moved to a job that they didnt sign up for, its usually just a matter of time before they are gone at AM though.
Martin and Andy lasted just a year each at AMR and the decision to terminate CEO has to come from owner himself not colleagues.

My concern with Newey is that Lawrence Stroll may not have the patience and deep pocket like Redbull to wait for few years to build up the team. And this may be the reason why for Andy termination

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diffuser
259
Joined: 07 Sep 2012, 13:55
Location: Montreal

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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Martin Whitmarsh? He lasted more than one year. Martin was brought out of retirement to rebuild the campuses at Silverstone. Which he did and why he left when he did, of his own accord.

Nikosar
Nikosar
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Joined: 10 Apr 2024, 18:06
Location: Genève

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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Lance had 3 lock-ups in like 4 laps running deep each time.

Car is challenging under braking

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MV8
13
Joined: 05 Aug 2021, 00:26

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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Still running limited, I think the max I saw was 295kmh-300kmh
Just posting

CHT
CHT
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 05:24

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 11:02
Martin Whitmarsh? He lasted more than one year. Martin was brought out of retirement to rebuild the campuses at Silverstone. Which he did and why he left when he did, of his own accord.
Martin Whitmarsh : Director (CEO)
Appointed on 1 July 2023
Resigned on 7 October 2024

Andrew Cowell : Director (Group CEO)
Appointed on 8 October 2024
Resigned on 31 December 2025

As CEO, his job is perhaps to restructure the team, manage shareholders and bring in the new talents to the team. To be terminate so early is never a good thing.

Nikosar
Nikosar
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Joined: 10 Apr 2024, 18:06
Location: Genève

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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Very few laps completed.

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diffuser
259
Joined: 07 Sep 2012, 13:55
Location: Montreal

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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CHT wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 13:04
diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 11:02
Martin Whitmarsh? He lasted more than one year. Martin was brought out of retirement to rebuild the campuses at Silverstone. Which he did and why he left when he did, of his own accord.
Martin Whitmarsh : Director (CEO)
Appointed on 1 July 2023
Resigned on 7 October 2024

Andrew Cowell : Director (Group CEO)
Appointed on 8 October 2024
Resigned on 31 December 2025

As CEO, his job is perhaps to restructure the team, manage shareholders and bring in the new talents to the team. To be terminate so early is never a good thing.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... 3hkvNbMr8N

She started in 2021.

CHT
CHT
-7
Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 05:24

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 13:54
CHT wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 13:04
diffuser wrote:
11 Feb 2026, 11:02
Martin Whitmarsh? He lasted more than one year. Martin was brought out of retirement to rebuild the campuses at Silverstone. Which he did and why he left when he did, of his own accord.
Martin Whitmarsh : Director (CEO)
Appointed on 1 July 2023
Resigned on 7 October 2024

Andrew Cowell : Director (Group CEO)
Appointed on 8 October 2024
Resigned on 31 December 2025

As CEO, his job is perhaps to restructure the team, manage shareholders and bring in the new talents to the team. To be terminate so early is never a good thing.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... 3hkvNbMr8N

She started in 2021.
News may have broke, but the official appointment date as director and CEO is different. You can check UK company filing for details.

https://find-and-update.company-informa ... pointments

AMR PERFORMANCE GROUP LIMITED was established in Sep 2022

dr_cooke
dr_cooke
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Joined: 12 Mar 2008, 14:43

Re: 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

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Car down for at least two hours. Stroll out of the box. No reason disclosed so far. Let's hope it hits the track again before day's end.