Cardile debuts at Aston Martin after legal dispute with Ferrari

Aston Martin has officially confirmed the incorporation of Enrico Cardile, who joins the team from Ferrari, as technical director of its Formula 1 team. Cardile, who left his position as technical director at Ferrari in mid-2024 after agreeing to join Aston Martin, was subject to a dispute between both teams over the start date of his contract. The Italian is one of the signings made by Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll, with the aim of competing for the championship from 2026. Among these signings are the legendary designer Adrian Newey and the 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. According to the order, Cardile could only start working from July 18th.

The Italian team stated at that time that the court had 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 already begun to perform his new role. In a statement, the team expressed: “We are pleased to have reached a resolution 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.” The arrival of Cardile will enrich the history of Aston Martin in the new era of F1, which introduces regulations that essentially force the design of completely new cars and engines, promising a change in the competitive order. A key element of this transformation is the arrival of Newey, who began at the beginning of the year as a managing technical partner. Cardile will report to the team principal and group CEO, Cowell. Stroll has previously described the trio formed by Newey, Cowell, and Cardile as a “formidable leadership team”.

• Title of the publication: ‘I am useless’: Hamilton spirals in disastrous Ferrari debut year

• Title of the publication: Gabriel Bortoleto, the ‘best rookie of his generation’ – Alonso

• Title of the publication: How McLaren’s split strategies helped Norris beat Piastri

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 successful partnership with Red Bull at the end of 2025.