The Aston Martin Formula 1 (F1) motor racing team has appointed Andy Cowell as its new group chief executive.

He will officially take up the role on October 1 and succeed Martin Whitmarsh who will be handing over responsibility before the end of the year.

Cowell, who will report to executive chairman Lawrence Stroll, was most recently the managing director at Mercedes AMG HPP, the Formula 1 engine manufacturer owned by Mercedes-Benz.

He started his career at the Cosworth automotive company before joining BMW Motorsport in 2000 and Mercedes-Ilmor in 2004 as principal engineer.

At Mercedes-Benz HPE, he was engineering director between 2008 and 2013. Cowell became managing director of Mercedes AMG HPP in 2013 during the successful era where the Mercedes F1 team won both the drivers' and constructors' championships between 2014 and 2020.

Stroll said: “I would like to thank Martin who has been instrumental in our growth phase as a business. In the last three years, he has developed the team and has helped us achieve some significant milestones, including fostering our relationship with Honda and delivering our AMR Technology Campus at Silverstone.

“I am delighted to welcome Andy to our team at a crucial time. Together with our works partnership with Honda, the commitment from our title partner Aramco and Andy's leadership we are on track to become a World Championship winning team. Andy has my full backing and will have every resource available to win.”

Whitmarsh added: “Andy will be an incredible asset to Aston Martin Aramco and will make a significant contribution to the execution of our strategy going forward.

“Andy's arrival in October and the completion of the AMR Technology Campus will allow me to step away and focus on other projects in my life, knowing that the foundations have been established with an impressive team.”