Mike Krack Replaced by Andy Cowell as Aston Martin F1 Team Principal

Aston Martin has replaced Mike Krack with Andy Cowell as team principal, aiming to boost performance and championship prospects.

 Aston Martin has announced a significant management overhaul, appointing Andy Cowell as the team's new principal, while Mike Krack will take on the role of chief trackside officer. This change was revealed by the Silverstone-based Formula 1 team on Friday.

Cowell, the former Mercedes engine head, joined Aston Martin as chief executive officer last year. During his tenure at Mercedes, Cowell served as the managing director of Mercedes AMG GPP (High Performance Powertrains), a period marked by Mercedes' dominance, with the team securing a record eight consecutive constructors' championships.

Cowell's influence extends beyond the team's success, as he also played a crucial role in the achievements of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. With Cowell at the helm, Aston Martin aims to build on its progress and become a championship-winning team.

Andy Cowell, Aston Martin's newly appointed team principal, expressed his admiration for the team's dedication and hard work, saying, “I have spent the last three months understanding and assessing our performance, and I've been incredibly impressed by the dedication, commitment and hard work of this team....” He also shared his excitement about the team's future prospects, adding, “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.”

Cowell's impressive background in Formula 1 includes his tenure as managing director of Mercedes AMG GPP (High Performance Powertrains), during which Mercedes dominated the sport, securing a record eight consecutive constructors' championships.

In a statement, the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team announced the restructuring of its senior management team, saying, “The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team announces a restructuring of its senior management team as it continues its mission of becoming a Championship-winning outfit.” The statement further clarified the changes, stating, “For clarity of leadership and as part of a shift to a flatter structure, Andy Cowell assumes the role of CEO and Team Principal with immediate effect.”

As the new team principal, Cowell brings valuable experience, having played a key role in the success of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton during his time at Mercedes.

Mike Krack, the former BMW Motorsport head, joined Aston Martin as team principal in 2022, bringing his experience from working with Swiss-based Sauber in Formula One. However, in a recent management overhaul, Krack's role has changed.

Aston Martin announced that Krack will now lead the trackside team as Chief Trackside Officer. The team clarified Krack's new responsibilities, stating, “Leading on the trackside team will be Mike Krack, as Chief Trackside Officer....” They further explained, “Mike – who joined the team in 2022 as Team Principal – will continue to focus on getting the most performance out of the car at the racetrack.”

As part of the restructuring, former Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile will oversee the development of new race cars, including their architecture, design, and build. Meanwhile, performance director Tom McCullough will transition to Aston Martin's other racing categories.

BREAKING: Aston Martin have appointed Andy Cowell as team principal after demoting Mike Krack from the role in an organisational restructure 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0Z596ZHQdz

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) January 10, 2025

Aston Martin is currently preparing for significant changes in the sport, including the switch from Mercedes engines to Honda engines starting from 2026. This change coincides with the introduction of new engine and aerodynamic regulations in Formula One.

Despite the changes, Aston Martin's driver lineup will remain unchanged for the 2025 season. Fernando Alonso, who signed a two-year contract last year, and Lance Stroll, who received a contract extension in 2024, will continue to drive for the team.