Mercedes reshuffles tech department as Allison becomes CTO

Mercedes technical director James Allison is set to step back from the day-to-day management of the Brackley squad's tech department to fulfill a newly created role as Chief Technical Officer.

Allison has been in charge of Mercedes' F1 engineering unit since 2017, but from July 1 the Briton will oversee the manufacturer's longer-term strategic plans in Grand Prix racing.

Allison's new function will lead to current technology officer Mike Elliot assuming the role of Mercedes' technical director.

Elliot, who began his career in F1 with McLaren in 2000 and who later worked at Renault, joined Mercedes in 2012 as Head of Aerodynamics. Since 2017, He has worked alongside Allison as part of the team's senior technical leadership.

Mercedes says the transition within its organization will take place across the coming months as the 2021 season unfolds and as it prepares its development programs for the challenges of F1's regulation overhaul in 2022.

"Since joining Mercedes in 2017, James has been an exceptional technical leader for our team, and he has made an enormous contribution to our performance: he combines huge passion and determination with detailed expertise and exceptional moral character," said team boss Toto Wolff.

"We have known for a while that his time as technical director would be coming to an end this year and I am delighted that we have been able to shape this new role to keep him within our motorsport family; he will be an important sparring partner for me in the next years and I know that we still have much to achieve together."

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Allison says that moving on from his role as technical director at Mercedes is a natural process and a timely opportunity to "pass on the baton".

"I firmly believe that people have a shelf life in senior roles in this sport, and I have chosen to step away from my role as technical director in order to pass on the baton at the right time for the organisation and myself," he explained.

"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."

"It is a great pleasure to be succeeded by Mike, an exceptional engineer in a tremendously strong group of senior leaders in the team.

"We will 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, with a focus on increasing our capability across the board and supporting Toto with the major strategic challenges we face in the near future."

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