FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo
(Reuters) -Andy Cowell has been named Aston Martin's new team principal in a major management overhaul while Mike Krack will move into the position of chief trackside officer, the Silverstone-based Formula One team said on Friday.
Former Mercedes engine head Cowell joined Aston Martin as chief executive officer last year.
The Briton was managing director of Mercedes AMG GPP (High Performance Powertrains) during a period of dominance for Mercedes who won a record eight successive constructors' championships.
"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 team said in a statement.
"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."
Cowell also played a key role in the success of seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton.
"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...," the 55-year-old said.
"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."
Former BMW Motorsport head Krack joined Aston Martin as team principal in 2022, having worked previously in Formula One with Swiss-based Sauber.
"Leading on the trackside team will be Mike Krack, as Chief Trackside Officer...," Aston Martin added.
"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."
The team added that former Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile will "oversee the architecture, design and build of new race cars", while performance director Tom McCullough will move to Aston Martin's other racing categories.
Aston Martin, who finished fifth in the 2024 constructors' standings, are switching from Mercedes engines to Honda from 2026 when the sport enters a new era with changed engine and aerodynamic regulations.
Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will remain at Aston Martin in 2025, with the Spaniard having signed a two-year contract last year, while Stroll was also given a contract extension in 2024.
Two-times world champion Alonso finished ninth in the driver's standings in 2024 with 70 points. Stroll scored 24 points and was 13th.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)
