Mercedes have announced a technical leadership structure revamp within their Formula One team.
Technical Director, James Allison will take up a new role entitled Chief Technical Officer (CTO), in which he will step back from the day-to-day management of Mercedes’ F1 technical operations and instead focus on helping the team strategically prepare for F1’s new era in 2022.
Alisson however will continue to work closely with technical teams at both Brackley and Brixworth in order to ensure the right capability is available for Mercedes to meet their needs.
Speaking on his decision to step down as Technical Director, Alisson spoke of his feeling that now is the right moment to “pass on the baton” and focus his efforts within the team elsewhere.
On his time in his current role, Allison said; “I have enjoyed four and a half wonderful years as Technical Director, and it has been a special privilege to lead the technical effort of the team in that time.”
Technology Director, Mike Elliott will therefore be promoted to fill Allison’s current role, having previously worked as Head of Aerodynamics for five seasons since 2012 in which he has since helped developed the team’s performance capability in his current role.
Elliott paid tribute to Allison in describing working for him as “a great pleasure and privilege” as he prepares to replace 53 year-old in July.
On his promotion, Elliott hailed the chance as “an amazing opportunity” and stated his belief that the “leadership strength” throughout Mercedes will be crucial to future success in F1’s new era.
Allison in turn is happy to see Elliott replace him in his current role and is keen for the team to “… benefit from the freshness that he will bring to the role – and I hope I can continue to make a useful contribution across a new sphere of activity in my role as CTO…”
Team Principal, Toto Wolff praised Allison for his “enormous contribution” to Mercedes’ recent success in performance, and is happy that this new CTO role has been created to enable Allison to remain a part of Mercedes moving forward.
Wolff is also confident that Elliott is ready to “take the step up” as Technical Director and feels that Mercedes are in the “best possible position for the sport’s next era.”
There will be a transitory process between setups across the next few months as the team continue their bid for an eighth driver and team double crown, as well as prepare for next season’s shakeup in technical and sporting regulations.