Former Mercedes spearhead appointed team principal at Aston Martin as Mike Krack steps down

Aston Martin has appointed Andy Cowell as the team principal for the upcoming F1 season. He will replace Mike Krack, who stepped down to assume the office of chief trackside officer.

The Lawrence Stroll-owned team had a mixed season last year. It finished P5 in the constructors championship with 94 points. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll struggled with the car for most of the season, leading to pressure on the leadership group.

In the latest development, the Astons have announced a big management change. Cowell, former engineering director at Mercedes, will replace Krack as the CEO and team principal for the upcoming 2025 season. Krack has voluntarily stepped down and will focus on his new role as chief trackside officer. In addition, Enrico Cardile will take over as chief technical officer.

Andy Cowell played an instrumental role in Mercedes' dominance in the turbo hybrid era. As the managing director of high-performance powertrains, he designed the most powerful powertrain of the turbo-hybrid era's initial year. His design brilliance helped the Silver Arrows unleash an unprecedented dominance from 2014 to 2021, winning eight constructors titles on the trot. He left the Brackley-based outfit in 2020 and will resume a key role with Aston Martin.

The Silverstone-based team is taking proactive measures ahead of the 2026 season when new engine regulations will be introduced. Lawrence Stroll pulled off the groundbreaking signing of Adrian Newey, a man with 40 years of experience in motorsports. At 66, after working with Red Bull for two decades, Newey is set for a new challenge.

Moreover, Stroll also struck a deal with Honda to supply engines from the 2026 season onward. Previously, the Astons used Mercedes' power unit and other technical components.

---

Mike Krack flags Aston Martin's worrying development

Aston Martin ex-team principal, Mike Krack (Image Source: Getty)

Aston Martin underperformed in the 2024 F1 season as both drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, failed to register a victory. With 94 points, the team secured P5 in the constructor's race. With another crucial season approaching, Mike Krack, former team principal, had flagged a concerning development pattern.

As quoted by GP Blog, Krack said:

"We delivered below expectation, so we cannot be happy with how our season went. We stay in P5, but had the championship started in the summer, we would not finish in P5. So, I think in all we need to reflect on the season and see it very critically."

With a new leadership group, the Silverstone-based team will aim for a change in fortune in the upcoming season as stakes will be higher due to profound competition.