Aston Martin is entering a period of internal upheaval as the team prepares for its first season with Honda power units in 2026. With the Sao Paulo Grand Prix approaching, it has emerged that the design and aerodynamics divisions are undergoing a major reorganisation. Although there has been no formal announcement, a spokesperson confirmed that structural changes are underway and that a detailed statement will be issued at a later date.
Multiple international outlets, including BBC Sport, report that at least seven senior staff members are expected to depart. The timing is striking. With four races left, Aston Martin sits seventh in the constructors’ standings and trails midfield rivals such as Williams and Racing Bulls.
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Departure of Eric Brandan and Akio Hanshita signals a deeper overhaul
One of the most prominent names linked to the departures is Eric Brandan. He joined the team from Mercedes in 2022 as deputy technical director and stepped into the role of head of aerodynamics this season. Brandan previously held senior roles at Red Bull and Ferrari and was a central figure in Mercedes’ most successful era. His exit marks a significant loss of experience.
The changes reach further into the team’s foundations. Former chief designer Akio Hanshita is also expected to step down. Hanshita is widely respected within the paddock and has been part of the organisation since the Jordan and Force India years. He continued to play a major role even after the outfit became Racing Point and later Aston Martin. His anticipated departure symbolises the scale of the structural reset.
The future roles of the seven staff members are not yet clear. Some may be transferred elsewhere within the wider Aston Martin Performance Technologies group, while others may leave the organisation entirely. Discussions are ongoing. This situation follows earlier changes such as the relocation of former chief technical officer Andrew Green to the AMPT research division in 2023.
Formation of a new technical structure under Newey and Cardile
Aston Martin is preparing for a clean slate. Managing technical partner Adrian Newey and incoming chief technical officer Enrico Cardile are leading the process of reshaping the technical organisation. Their collaboration forms the backbone of the new structure aimed at the 2026 regulations and the arrival of Honda as the works power unit partner.
Since joining Aston Martin in March, Newey has conducted a detailed assessment of how the team operates. He has openly highlighted weaknesses, especially in simulation and correlation tools, and has pushed for resource realignment. Under the cost cap, teams cannot expand indefinitely. Strengthening priority areas means scaling back others. The current departures are believed to be part of this strategic redistribution.
This year, Aston Martin has already strengthened several departments. In May, the team hired Gioacchino Vino from Mercedes as chief aerodynamicist. Soon after, Giles Wood returned to Formula One after eight years to lead simulation and vehicle modelling. Wood previously worked with Newey at Red Bull and is expected to play a key role in building the new foundation.
Preparation for the Honda works era drives the reset
Aston Martin’s long term direction has shifted sharply. The partnership with Honda from 2026 gives the team a full works identity. That development demands an organisational model capable of integrating the new power unit, revised aerodynamics, and the 2026 chassis rules.
The scale of the changes is unusual for this stage of the season. They reflect a broader strategic decision to rebuild the technical department around Newey’s vision and Cardile’s leadership. With results stagnating in 2025 and the midfield battle tightening, the restructuring is both a response to current performance and an investment in the first true works programme in team history.
A formal announcement is expected in the coming weeks. Until then, Aston Martin continues to operate in a period of transition as it prepares for a decisive shift in its competitive approach.
