Silverstone shake-up: Aston Martin parts ways with senior engineers

Aston Martin is once again rolling out the changes at Silverstone, with up to seven senior engineers reportedly set to depart the F1 team following a comprehensive technical reshuffle steered by Adrian Newey and Enrico Cardile.

Amid a challenging season that has seen the team lose ground in the midfield scrap, the latest overhaul is being described as a deliberate recalibration rather than a crisis reaction.

According to a report from Autosport, the moves result directly from an internal review conducted by tech chiefs Newey and Cardile, who have been working closely since joining the ambitious outfit earlier this year.

Among those leaving is Eric Blandin, the former Mercedes deputy technical director who joined Aston Martin in 2022 before taking on an aerodynamics-focused role.

Some senior figures will reportedly exit the F1 team altogether, while others may be reassigned to Aston Martin’s Advanced Technologies division, which supports broader automotive and engineering ventures.

The sweeping adjustments reflect a growing consensus within the factory that the team’s structure – not just its personnel – needed reform, especially with F1’s vast technical regulation changes sitting on the 2026 horizon.

Despite owner Lawrence Stroll’s vast investment in facilities and talent, the team has struggled so far to translate resources into race-winning consistency.

A Culture Shift Under Newey

Newey’s arrival from Red Bull earlier this year signaled more than just a headline hire – it marked a philosophical shift. The design guru is known for his disdain of rigid hierarchies and office politics, preferring a hands-on approach where engineers collaborate fluidly across departments.

Insiders describe Newey as intent on establishing clearer workflows and a culture centered on performance rather than job titles.

Cardile, Aston’s new chief technical officer, freshly arrived from Ferrari after an extended period of gardening leave, has also begun influencing the technical direction, particularly the focus on the team’s 2026 car project.

The pair’s feedback reportedly underpinned CEO Andy Cowell’s decision to implement the restructuring now rather than wait for the new regulations to take hold.

Simulation Woes and a Push for Modernization

One of the areas flagged as a priority by Newey is Aston Martin’s simulation capability, which he bluntly described earlier this year as “a handicap for two years.”

To address this, he recruited Giles Wood, a trusted former Red Bull colleague, as Director of Simulation and Modelling. Wood’s remit is to spearhead a rapid upgrade of the team’s virtual tools – essential in an era where real-world testing is limited.

Under the F1 cost cap, these moves also carry a financial dimension. Teams must now carefully balance high-profile appointments within strict budget limits, with only a handful of senior salaries exempt.

Cowell, who also serves as team principal, emphasized recently that the upheaval is part of a long-term vision.

"Ever since Lawrence bought the team, his words have been backed up with action," Cowell told Autosport recently.

"When you see the campus, when you see the investment he's got inside the campus, when you see his approach on recruiting people like Adrian, he's determined.

“At which point, the whole paddock can see that there's a determination to go from a team that was about survival to a team that is here to win."

If Aston Martin’s latest reorganization delivers on that ambition, this winter’s turbulence could yet become the launchpad for the team’s most significant leap forward in years.

Read also:

• Cowell’s big call: Aston Martin will reach the top – and stay there!

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