Former Mercedes engine guru Andy Cowell

F1 Rumor: Andy Cowell linked with top F1 job at Aston Martin (Update)

This rumor is now upgraded to ‘fact’ with this announcement.


July 2, 2024 

(GMM) A big change is afoot at the very top of the struggling Aston Martin team could see ex-Mercedes engine man Andy Cowell take the CEO position.

Fernando Alonso, still managed by Flavio Briatore, has expressed clear frustration with the Silverstone-based team’s lack of progress this season.

Briatore, now also executive advisor at Alpine, told Italian radio Rai when asked about Aston Martin: “They have made a lot of mistakes despite the investments made by Lawrence Stroll.

“At Alpine, we already take points from them almost every Sunday now just because Aston Martin is not in the position they should be in.”

Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Aston Martin is now considering appointing former Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell to be the team’s new CEO.

That role is “currently occupied by Martin Whitmarsh”.

The newspaper report says Cowell’s arrival could scupper the hopes of former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto, who was also recently linked with a top job at Aston Martin.

Briton Cowell, 55, left Mercedes and Formula 1 in 2020.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports: “Lawrence Stroll is looking for a technical-managerial figure of reference. And Cowell, with his 16-year winning experience at Mercedes, is certainly authoritative.”