Cardile signs for Aston Martin after legal dispute with Ferrari

Aston Martin has confirmed the addition of Enrico Cardile as technical director of its Formula 1 team, coming from Ferrari. Cardile, who left his position as technical director at Ferrari in mid-2024, had agreed to join Aston Martin. However, both teams were involved in a dispute over Cardile’s start date. The Italian engineer is part of the additions made by Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll, with the aim of turning the team into a championship contender from 2026. Among these additions are the legendary designer Adrian Newey and former Mercedes engine guru Andy Cowell.

Earlier this year, Ferrari obtained a court order preventing Cardile from collaborating with Aston Martin until the end of his “gardening leave” period. The court ruled that Cardile could only start working from July 18th.

The Italian team stated at that time that the court determined that “our former employee was already violating the non-compete agreement with Ferrari, whose purpose was precisely to prevent other F1 teams from gaining an unjustified competitive advantage by hiring Cardile before allowed, causing irreparable damage to Ferrari”.

Ferrari

Aston Martin has confirmed that Cardile has started to perform his new role. In a statement, the team expressed: “We are pleased that a solution has been found and that Enrico can move forward with the team as we look towards 2026 and beyond as our technical director, leading our design and technical functions at the AMR Technology Campus.” Cardile’s arrival adds a new chapter to Aston Martin’s history as it enters the new era of F1, which includes new regulations that demand completely new cars and engines, promising a change in the competitive order. Among the most notable additions is Adrian Newey, who began at the beginning of the year as a technical managing partner. Cardile will report to the team principal and group CEO, Andy Cowell. Stroll has described the trio formed by Newey, Cowell and Cardile as a “formidable leadership team”.

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Aston Martin’s investment also includes a new, modern F1 facility at a headquarters opposite the entrance to the Silverstone circuit, home of the British Grand Prix. The team will also enter the new cycle of regulations with an exclusive supply of Honda engines, after years of using a Mercedes power unit. Honda will end its partnership with Red Bull at the end of 2025.