Things are getting busy behind the scenes at Aston Martin as the team heads into another period of significant change. After a frustrating season, the team is quietly overhauling its technical department, with several senior engineers set to move on.
Sources indicate that Adrian Newey’s arrival has contributed to the shake-up, which could see up to seven key figures either take on new roles or leave altogether, including Aerodynamics Director Eric Blandin, who joined from Mercedes in 2022.
Adrian Newey’s Arrival Sends Ripples Through the Team
Newey is one of the most respected names in the sport’s history as he’s been the creative mind behind some of the most successful cars ever built by winning championships with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.
When Aston Martin announced earlier this year that Newey would join them, the news spread like wildfire. It felt like a statement of intent from owner Lawrence Stroll, who has been working to turn the Silverstone-based team into a regular front-runner.
However, Newey isn’t just another hire, as he’s known for reshaping teams from the inside out. His approach focuses on design freedom, teamwork, and avoiding office politics.
Sources suggest that after reviewing Aston Martin’s technical structure, he identified several weaknesses that needed to be addressed, and one of the first areas he reportedly pointed out at Aston Martin was the team’s outdated simulator, as noted in an interview earlier this year.
To address this, Newey brought in Giles Wood, a key figure from his Red Bull days, to lead simulation and modeling, which is a clear indication that Aston Martin is serious about building a proper foundation ahead of the 2026 regulations.
Andy Cowell and Newey Getting the House for 2026
CEO Andy Cowell took over from Martin Whitmarsh late last year and is steering the team towards the significant 2026 rule changes. Cowell was previously the brains behind Mercedes’ HPP program and has already made bold moves to strengthen his current organization. He also serves as team principal, overseeing both the business and racing sides of the operation.
It’s understood that the latest reshuffle also takes into account Formula 1’s strict financial regulations. With a budget cap of around $215 million for 2026, teams must be innovative about how they allocate resources and staff. This means that some roles will shift to Aston Martin’s performance division, which handles non-F1 projects, similar to what happened with former CTO Andrew Green.
Despite all the movement, Cowell insists this is part of the team’s growth process and definitely not a setback as he’s confident in the long-term plan and says the investment from Stroll continues to match his ambition to win.
“Ever since Lawrence bought the team, his words have been backed up with action,” Cowell told Autosport. “When you see the campus, when you see the investment he’s got inside the campus, when you see his approach on recruiting people like Adrian, he’s determined.”
If everything goes according to plan, the Silverstone-based team could emerge stronger and more unified in time for the 2026 reset. For now, it’s clear that Newey, after joining Aston Martin, is playing a part in remaking it from the inside out.
