Mike Elliott is the center figure to push Mercedes in recalling James Allison as technical director, with another change in designer work.
There were already murmurs of Allison returning to the head role at the start of the F1 2023 season, but Toto Wolff played down those reports then. But with the break between Australia and Azerbaijan, Mercedes has quietly confirmed the change at the top level.
Allison is back as the technical director from his Chief Technical Officer role that he took up nearly two years ago paving way for Elliott to take his position. But owing to the difficulties in 2022 and also 2023, the latter played a key role in the former’s recall.
“Mike [Elliott] has led a review of our technical organisation to ensure we have the right structure to deliver sustainable success in the future,” read a statement from Mercedes to media, thereby confirming the swap between the two.
“We are focused on building the best racing car – and building the best team to develop that car, with everybody playing to their greatest strengths in the organisation.” Allison was not involved in day-to-day working of the car, giving about three days a week to F1.
But now – along with his America’s Cup work – Allison will be involved day-to-day on the F1 side, while the work for Elliott now will be to structure the team in the best possible way whether it is infrastructure or technically or at the personnel level as the CTO.
Apart from the swap of Allison/Elliott, chief designer John Owens will now fully focus on the design part of the car rather than doing additional administrative and organisational work that he was handed. Those work will now be looked after by his deputy Giacomo Tortora.
“The machine is continuing to run in Brixworth and Brackley at a fast pace,” said Wolf in an interview on its website. “What you see on track is only the tip of the iceberg, but the performance of the car and Power Unit is made in these two factories. The mindset is great, the spirit is there and I see a lot of buzz.
“I believe 100 percent in our organisation, because our perspective is not always on a single race weekend, not even a single season. It’s on trying to build our capability so we are successful over multiple years, while recognising the fact you are never going to win every single season, because no sports team has ever done it.”
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