James Allison has returned to the front line at Mercedes as the team's technical director replacing Mike Elliott who has been assigned to a broader role as Chief Technical Officer.
Allison played a key role in Mercedes' F1 success from 2017 to 2021 but had stepped away from Mercedes' engineering department in July 2021, with Elliott taking over his responsibilities.
However, the significant aerodynamic issues encountered by Mercedes last year with its first new-generation 'ground effect' car, and which have extended to a certain degree into this season, encouraged the team's top brass to entrust Allison with a more prominent role in the development of its troubled F1 car.
©Mercedes
Team boss Toto Wolff initially denied that Allison had increased his involvement with the team, but the Brackley squad has now confirmed the structural changes to its technical department, with Allison and Elliott effectively swapping roles.
"Mike has led a review of our technical organisation to ensure we have the right structure to deliver sustainable success in the future," said a Mercedes spokesperson on Friday.
"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."
In an interview with Autosport, Wolff elaborated on the reshuffle, explaining that the change is as much about addressing its current affairs as it is about tackling the future.
"This was very much driven by Mike Elliott owning the process," the Austrian explained. "So, we have reversed the roles.
"Mike has moved up to CTO, as he has a brilliant switched-on scientific mind. And James Allison has returned to his Technical Director position, reporting into Mike.
"What Mike's assessment was, and the introspection is really admirable, is that with James we have a gladiator on the field and the troops are going to go through the fire for him and with him," added Wolff.
"Mike came to the conclusion that the way he approaches things, his skill set, is best utilised in developing the organisation going forward: from technical capabilities to human capabilities and putting together the structure that can be successful for many years to come.
"It's about creating a structure that can be sustainably successful going into the next generation.
"We're seeing huge changes in the technical developments, artificial intelligence and machine learning. And at the same time, looking at how is a modern Formula 1 team going to be organised and structured: what kind of innovation can be brought in.
"Mike sees himself very much in his sweet spot there and obviously he's a super capable engineer, very credible and respected in the organisation. He is going to be a coach and sparring partner for the most senior people.
"And I'm actually very happy that Mike took this decision by himself to put himself in this role, with both him and James coming to this conclusion, as we are having both of them in their genius."
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