A few races before the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the most shocking movement has not occurred on the track, but in the offices of Aston Martin. While the World Championship could be defined this weekend in Qatar with the possible coronation of Lando Norris, the Silverstone-based team has unleashed a real earthquake by announcing a profound reorganization in its top management that marks its roadmap for 2026.
The arrival of Adrian Newey as new team boss (a legendary figure and the most influential technical mind in the category) has shaken the paddock and generated immediate reactions, including that of Fernando Alonso himself.
Aston Martin surprises F1: new boss assigned in 2026
The team confirmed in recent hours a restructuring that involves the departure of Andy Cowell as team principal. After just 14 months in the position, Cowell will now lead the strategic area of the team, directly under Lawrence Stroll. His place will be taken by Adrian Newey, who will make an unprecedented leap in his career: taking over the general management of the team while maintaining his position as technical manager.
The decision is fully aligned with two immediate challenges: the 2026 technical regulations change and the arrival of Honda as exclusive engine supplier. Aston Martin assures that the reorganization will allow it to “make the most of the team’s collective strengths,” a statement that makes it clear that the project is bluntly aimed at making a competitive leap in the new hybrid era.
Cowell will continue to play a central role, especially in integrating the engine with the chassis and coordinating with partners such as Honda, Aramco and Valvoline. But it is the figure of Newey that has grabbed all the attention: his arrival changes the leadership of the team and suggests an ambitious coup for 2026.
Fernando Alonso backs Newey’s arrival: “It’s a logical step for 2026”.
Far from being surprised, Fernando Alonso explained that both he and Lance Stroll have been informed of the process for some time. According to the Spaniard, Lawrence Stroll has regular conversations with his drivers and usually asks for their opinion on the evolution of the project: “We often talk to Lawrence after the races and when we go to the factory,” said the Spaniard, assuring that the decision did not take them unawares. “It has not been a surprise. We know what his ideas are,” he added.
Alonso described Newey’s arrival as a natural transition for a team that needs to strengthen its foundations ahead of next year’s technical revolution. He acknowledged that, despite talking to him at the factory, Newey never mentioned the promotion to team principal directly: “We talked more about technical aspects and our dreams for the future. But yes, it’s good news,” he said.
For Alonso, the signing of the iconic engineer is exactly what the team needed: a figure obsessed with performance. “With Adrian there is only one style: performance. His quest for perfection is limitless,” said the two-time champion, convinced that Newey’s leadership will bring a level of demand that can transform Aston Martin into a true title contender in the coming years. Even so, he could not confirm whether he will exercise the traditional role of team manager on the circuits, as “it’s something I can’t answer”.
How leadership changes: a young team in need of guidance
Alonso also explained why Newey’s arrival is more than just a change in management: it is a key piece in bringing together a team that has grown at great speed. He recalled that Aston Martin’s staff base “was around 300 people a few years ago”, and that in the last two or three years the workforce has doubled with young engineers in need of experienced references.
With the mix of Newey and Cowell, the Spaniard believes that the team will have “two of the most successful people in the history of the sport”. And he emphasized that, although the team is going through a difficult season in 2025, this decision is not a punishment for the results: “I don’t think so. Yes, it’s a tough year, but it doesn’t change our long-term vision. This doesn’t influence any big decisions.”
Alonso also dismissed the idea that Aston Martin needs additional on-track reinforcement to assist Newey, highlighting the strength of the technical team already working every weekend. “We have people with tons of experience, great race and performance engineers, and Lance and I have a combined 35 years of experience. We don’t lack vision. We just need a fast car.”
A move that defines the team’s future… and Alonso’s.
The announcement not only modifies Aston Martin’s internal structure, but also clarifies the direction Fernando Alonso has chosen for the last stage of his career. The Spaniard is already working on the development of the 2026 single-seater and sees in this change of direction a crucial opportunity to return to the front of the field.
In a season where results have not been encouraging, the team seems to have decided to get ahead of the competition by taking a bold step. Newey’s arrival could make Aston Martin one of the most feared teams of the new cycle; and Alonso, under contract until the new era, will be a central piece of that project.
