– The unrest in Aston Martin’s executive suite is drawing criticism: TV presenter Will Buxton warns that the “constant change” at the Silverstone site is massively damaging the team culture, while the team struggles at the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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The personnel carousel at Aston Martin is spinning incessantly – a dangerous course for Buxton. The Brit is convinced that the instability “does nothing good for the team’s culture.”
Review: In 2024, Andy Cowell joined the Silverstone squad as CEO before replacing Mike Krack as team principal in January 2025. However, Cowell’s tenure at the top of the racing team lasted less than a year. Adrian Newey, who had been signed as managing technical partner in 2025, took on the role of team principal for the 2026 season in addition to his previous duties.
In the current structure, Cowell serves as chief strategist, while Mike Krack holds the position of head of the trackside team.
Like a 90s football club
After a difficult start to the 2026 season, rumors persist that Lawrence Stroll could once again install a new team principal. The goal: to free Newey up so that he can concentrate fully on his core tasks again. However, Aston Martin is denying these speculations at this point in time.
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“It feels like a football club,” Buxton blustered on the Up To Speed podcast. “Like a football club that was bought in the 90s or 2000s by a Russian oligarch who just throws money at a problem and changes the manager every six months.”
Stroll’s impatience as a hindrance?
While Buxton shows understanding for the owner’s ambition, he urges patience: “I know Lawrence Stroll wants to see results. And he wants them now. But turning things around in Formula 1 is like turning a ship – you need that little tugboat at the front pulling you in the right direction. And that takes time. You can’t turn things around overnight.”
The expert sees the big picture in danger due to the constant restructuring: “I feel that these permanent changes every few months are not good at all for the general team culture and the long-term direction. The team has no clear focus on direction when it tries to change it constantly. I just don’t see how that’s supposed to help anyone.”
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