Feature
Who is Andy Cowell? All you need to know about Aston Martin’s new F1 team boss
Share
Andy Cowell was named Aston Martin’s new Team Principal earlier on Friday, with the Silverstone operation going through another reshuffle in a bid to become F1 title challengers. As the British engineer takes the reins from former boss Mike Krack, F1.com provides an overview of his career to date…
Starting out at Cosworth
Born in Blackpool, England on February 12, 1969, childhood F1 fan Cowell studied Mechanical Engineering at Lancaster University before kicking off his career with Cosworth, the respected British engineering company who have produced engines since the late-1950s.
Having spent time working in various departments and gaining valuable experience, Cowell settled into Cosworth’s F1 engine division where, in partnership with Ford, he would help to power McLaren and Benetton to Grand Prix victories and world titles through the 1990s.
“I came off the graduate scheme and was designing fatigue test rigs for connecting rods,” Cowell told the Beyond The Grid podcast of his early days. “Suddenly I got called into the chief engineer’s office and asked to work as an integration engineer on the McLaren project!”
Another memorable moment came during the 1999 season, when the Cowell-led engine project group contributed to Stewart Grand Prix’s emotional victory – and double podium finish – at the European Grand Prix with Johnny Herbert and Rubens Barrichello.
Cowell started his F1 career working on engines that were used by the likes of Ayrton Senna
Cowell left Cosworth for BMW Motorsport in 2000, playing a key role in designing the engine used by Williams through 2001, before making a swift return to Cosworth as Principal Engineer for their F1 programme – managing several new engine projects.
Making the move to Mercedes
In 2004, Cowell departed Cosworth for a second time, taking up a similar Principal Engineer position at rivals Mercedes-Ilmor. Via V10 and V8 engines that delivered more F1 success, his responsibilities within the organisation grew until he was heading up all projects.
READ MORE: 5 things to be excited about as F1 gears up for the 2025 season
Cowell went on to serve as Engineering Director for the Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines division from 2008 to 2013, when he transitioned to Managing Director of the renamed Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.
That period coincided with Mercedes’ full-scale return to the F1 grid – the German manufacturer and long-time McLaren engine partner taking over the Brawn GP operation at the end of 2009 to restore their works status last seen back in the 1950s.
When F1 introduced all-new, turbo-hybrid regulations for 2014, Mercedes stole a march on the competition with the potent V6 power unit produced by Cowell and his team, bringing a breakthrough constructors’ title and drivers’ crown for Lewis Hamilton.
Cowell and his engine team were crucial to Mercedes’ success when F1’s turbo-hybrid era began
From there, the Silver Arrows enjoyed a remarkable run of success, winning 15 world titles across eight years – both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, along with a constructors’ title in 2021.
Cowell was present for almost all of those title-winning seasons, deciding in early 2020 that it was time to explore new opportunities, but not before making another lasting impression with his involvement in ‘Project Pitlane’ – a collective of UK-based F1 teams who manufactured medical devices to treat COVID-19 patients.
BEYOND THE GRID: Andy Cowell on what convinced him about leaving Mercedes
“Mercedes is a company that I’m hugely proud to have worked for,” he said upon his exit. “[But] 16 years feels like a long period of time doing largely the same thing. I think my personality likes the thrill of being dropped into something that’s challenging and scary.”
A new chapter at Aston Martin
In July last year, following a period out of the spotlight, Cowell was announced by Aston Martin as their new Group Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Martin Whitmarsh on October 1 and reporting directly to Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll.
Stroll is investing heavily in Aston Martin’s F1 effort, with a state-of-the-art campus recently being constructed, new wind tunnel and simulator projects ongoing, a Honda power unit deal set to kick in from 2026 and several other key hires – including design guru Adrian Newey – being made.
Cowell joined Aston Martin as their Group CEO late last year and is now also Team Principal
A few months on, and with a challenging 2024 season fresh in the memory, Cowell is at the centre of another Aston Martin reshuffle – the team’s Friday morning press release confirming that he is assuming the Team Principal role previously held by Krack.
Aston Martin had hoped to build on a promising 2023 that yielded eight podium finishes with new world champion signing Fernando Alonso and a rise to fifth in the constructors’ standings – while they retained the position last year, there were no podiums and only 94 points compared to 280.
END OF YEAR REPORT: Aston Martin – A season below expectations but with key high-profile arrivals
In changes aimed at delivering “clarity of leadership and as part of a shift to a flatter structure”, Cowell will act as both CEO and Team Principal, with the squad’s Aerodynamics, Engineering and Performance Departments trackside and at the AMR Technology Campus reporting into him.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed by the dedication, commitment and hard work of this team,” said Cowell of his first impressions at Aston Martin. “With the completion of the AMR Technology Campus and our transition in 2026 to a full works team, alongside our strategic partners Honda and Aramco, we are on a journey to becoming a championship-winning team.”
With various knock-on effects, including Krack’s shift to Chief Trackside Officer, Cowell signed off: “These organisational changes are a natural evolution of the multi-year plans that we have scheduled to make and I’m incredibly excited about the future.”
RACE TICKETS - AUSTRALIA
Don't miss your chance to be at the first Grand Prix of 2025 and experience the season-opener in Melbourne...
Share
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
FeatureF1 Unlocked ‘I hate losing’ – Max Verstappen on sealing title No. 4, his prospects for 2025, and life away from F1
News Leclerc lists areas where Sainz has helped him improve as he hails 'incredible team mate'
News REVEALED: The best driver line-up for the 2025 season as voted for by you
News Horner explains why Red Bull didn’t move for Sainz when he was on the market
)
