Horner in running to replace Cowell at Aston Martin

After working for Aston Martin for just over a year, Andy Cowell is on the verge of leaving his position.

Following disagreements between Cowell and the team’s new managing technical partner Adrian Newey, multiple senior sources in Formula 1 have informed BBC Sport that Lawrence Stroll is ready to take action.

Cowell appears to have lost his position as CEO and team principal of Aston Martin despite the organization’s current state, though no definitive decision has been made.

The team won’t be spreading rumors or speculation, according to a spokesperson for Aston Martin Aramco. The main objectives are to maximize performance in the upcoming races and to prepare for 2026.

Although no replacement has been named, Christian Horner, a former Red Bull team principal, might be a candidate.

Horner, who was fired by Red Bull in July, is working fervently to obtain a team share and a leadership position.

Whitmarsh, who Cowell replaced last year, is alleged to have rejected the offer to return to his former position.

Whitmarsh told BBC Sport, “I left Aston Martin in 2023, and despite Lawrence’s generous behavior, I no longer wanted to play for the team.”

Cowell and Newey disagree on who is in charge, which is what caused the rupture.

Newey, a former F1 designer and champion of 12 constructors and 13 drivers’ world titles with Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull, is leading the team’s 2026 car.

Cowell is supposed to lead the team, but Newey’s position as both a shareholder and the team’s biggest earner by far is undoubtedly one of more powerful.

In response to the allegations of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behavior made against Horner by a female employee, Newey specifically left Red Bull because he had a relationship with Horner.

Two separate internal investigations cleared Horner of the charges, but the allegations caused significant internal rifts at Red Bull, which also saw a decline in performance.

After the British Grand Prix, Red Bull removed Horner without seeing any signs of internal tension or performance improvement.

A settlement between the parties in September saw Horner receive a pay-off of 60 million euros (£53 million).

A Red Bull source told BBC Sport that Newey stated to his coworkers that he did not want to be in Horner’s room at the time of his departure.

However, it is said that the two people sex up, and they both reportedly shared an Oasis concert together over the summer.

However, Horner’s future at Aston Martin is not certain.

Given that he is de facto the team principal and owner, Stroll may decide that he does not require a full-time figure of this caliber.

Cowell would become Aston Martin’s fourth senior leader to step down.

In the first quarter of this year, Otmar Szafnauer was fired, and Mike Krack was chosen in his place. Cowell assumed his position as chief engineer, but he was replaced.

Seven senior design engineers departed earlier this month, prompting a significant technical change for the team.