Mercedes: a reorganization of the technical team to move forward
The Mercedes AMG F1 team has reconfigured its technical personnel. Key figures James Allison and Mike Elliott are swapping their roles as development director and technical director.
Mercedes underwent introspection after a difficult start to the 2023 season, and Mike Elliott and James Allison have agreed that the team would fare better if they swapped roles. This change, part of a series of modifications implemented by the team to help them make a comeback in the F1 spotlight, will see Allison assume the role of Technical Director, while Elliott will take on the position of Development Director.
A reorganization that takes place 20 months after Allison took on the position of technical director. A decision motivated by Elliot himself, concluding that his skills were not the best fit for the technical director role, as revealed by Toto Wolff to Autosport: “It was largely motivated by Mike Elliott. So we switched roles. Mike became the development director, as he has a brilliant scientific mind. James Allison returned to his position as technical manager.”
« We have a path that we believe is the right one »
« Mike sees himself very well in this position and it is obvious that he is a highly competent, very credible, and respected engineer within the organization. I am very happy that he made the decision himself to take on this role, and that James and he have come to this conclusion, because we can benefit from their expertise. »
In addition to Allison and Elliott changing positions, Mercedes also modified the job profiles of its lead designers in order to better adapt the team to the cost containment environment.
While in her previous role, Allison only worked three days a week, Elliott will be hired full-time. It is expected that Allison will maintain her involvement in the Americas Cup sailing project.
Wolff explained that Elliott believed Allison was much better suited for the role of technical manager, where there are more practical responsibilities for the car, and that it would be advantageous for him to focus on broader technical organizational developments that play to his strengths.
Mercedes is currently working on a series of updates to its W14 that will help close the gap with leader Red Bull. Toto Wolff stated that the return of Allison as technical director will enable the team to continue in its current development direction. « We now have a path that we believe is the right one,” he said.
