Cardile Debuts at Aston Martin After Legal Dispute with Ferrari

Enrico Cardile Joins Aston Martin as Technical Director

Aston Martin has confirmed the addition of Enrico Cardile, coming from Ferrari, as Technical Director of its Formula 1 team. Cardile, who left his position as technical director at Ferrari in mid-2024, joins Aston Martin following an agreement that involved a dispute between both teams over his start date. The arrival of Cardile is part of a series of incorporations made by Aston Martin’s owner, Lawrence Stroll, with the aim of turning the team into a championship contender from 2026. Earlier this year, Ferrari obtained a court order preventing Cardile from interacting with Aston Martin until his “gardening leave” period ended. The Italian team argued that Cardile’s early recruitment by Aston Martin could create an unfair competitive advantage.

The Italian team stated that the court determined that “our former employee was already violating the non-compete agreement with Ferrari, the purpose of which 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 started his new position. 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.” The incorporation of Cardile marks a significant milestone for Aston Martin in the new era of F1, which introduces regulations that demand new cars and engines, promising to reconfigure the competitive order. It is worth noting the arrival of Adrian Newey, a legend of design in F1, who began working at the beginning of the year as a technical partner manager. Cardile will report to the team principal and group CEO, Andy Cowell. Stroll previously referred to 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 Mercedes power units. Honda will end its successful partnership with Red Bull at the end of 2025.