F1: Andy Cowell to leave Mercedes as managing Director

The man who has overseen the production of Mercedes all-conquering V6 power units, Andy Cowell, is to leave the team as Managing Director.

Cowell has overseen the production of Mercedes V6 power units which have guided the outfit to six double world championships since 2014.

The Silver Arrows has therefore announced that as of July 1, there will be a new management structure with the aim to ensure a smooth transition and to ensure that the three core projects at Brixworth are delivered to the highest possible standard: the F1 Power Unit, the Formula E powertrain and the powertrain development and production of the Mercedes-AMG One.

The leadership team will be comprised of: Hywel Thomas, who will take over from Cowell as Managing Director, with direct responsibility for the F1 Power Unit; Adam Allsopp, Project One Powertrain Director and reporting directly to Markus Schäfer on Project One; Operations Director Richard Stevens; and Finance and IT Director, Ronald Ballhaus. Formula E Powertrain Chief Engineer Pierre Godof will continue to lead development of the powertrain in the all-electric racing series.

Andy Cowell, outgoing Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG HPP, concluded: “After 16 enjoyable years working for HPP, I have decided that now is the right time to move on from my role and seek a new engineering business challenge. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with Markus and Toto in defining the future leadership structure of the company and I have every confidence in the ability of Hywel and the team to lead the company forward.

“It has been an absolute honour to work for Mercedes and especially to be Managing Director of HPP for seven years. Thank you to everyone who has provided me with such amazing opportunities and enjoyable challenges, especially Ola Källenius who had the courage to support me back in 2006.”

Cowell will continue to work alongside Hywel Thomas to support the transition at Mercedes until at least early 2021 after being managing director at Mercedes HPP for the past seven years.

Hywel Thomas was F1 Power Unit Director for Mercedes-AMG HPP which has made his promotion a logical progression within the team at Brixworth.

Hywel Thomas, the new Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG HPP, commented: “I am proud to have been part of HPP for 16 years and it is an incredible organisation in terms of its team spirit, values and integrity. That is no small part thanks to the leadership it has enjoyed over the years, from Mario Illien and Paul Morgan through to the current day.

“Andy and I have worked together throughout my time here and I am thankful to have been able to learn from him during this time and through a period of great success for the team. Our new leadership group is very excited to step up to this new challenge: we have an incredible team of people at Brixworth, and we are all focused on delivering maximum performance on track in the years ahead.”

Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO Mercedes F1 Team concluded: Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team continued: “Andy’s leadership of the team at HPP has been a key factor in our championship success in recent seasons. He has made an outstanding contribution to our motorsport legacy and I have valued and enjoyed our working relationship since 2013; I am sure he will enjoy great success in the next challenge he decides to take on.

“Our philosophy has always been that a winning team is a dynamic organisation, and that change is a natural part of every company’s development. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to work together to create a new leadership structure, by building on the strength in depth of the team in Brixworth. It puts us in a very strong position for the years ahead, as we aim to set new benchmarks in Formula One and Formula E.”