The Mercedes Formula 1 team has arranged its chief technical staff, with James Allison and Mike Elliott swapping jobs, Motorsport.com reveals.
The switch, which forms part of a raft of changes the team is making to help it return to the front of the F1 grid, will see Allison return to the technical director role, while Elliott will take over as chief technical officer.
The bold change, coming 20 months after Allison had originally moved into the CTO position, led Elliott to conclude that the skills he had were not the right fit for his position as CTO.
With the team doing some soul-searching after a rocky start to the 2023 season, Elliott agreed with Allison that the team would be better off if they switched roles.
Speaking about the move, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Motorsport.com: “This was largely driven by Mike Elliott owning the operation.
“So, we reversed roles. Mike moved up to Chief Executive Officer, where he has a great science mind. James Allison moved back into CTO, reporting to Mike.”
While Allison’s previous role as technical director meant he only worked three days a week, Elliott will stick full time.
It is also understood that Allison will retain a level of involvement in the America’s Cup project he has been working on during his tenure as technical officer.
Soul “Wrestler” Allison
Wolfe explained that Elliott believed Allison was better suited to the technical director role, as there was more practical responsibility for the car, and it would be beneficial for him to focus on broader organizational technical developments that play to his strengths.
Mike Elliott, Mercedes
Photography: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Pictures
“What Mike’s assessment was, and the introspection is really admirable, is that with James we have a wrestler in the field, and the troops are going to shoot for him and with him,” Wolfe added.
Mike has come to the conclusion that the way he approaches things, and his skill set, is best used in developing the organization going forward: from technical capabilities to human capabilities and putting together a structure that can be successful for many years to come.
“It is about creating a structure that can be sustainably successful in the next generation.
“We are seeing massive changes in technical developments, artificial intelligence and machine learning. At the same time, we are looking at how the modern Formula 1 team is structured and organized: what kind of innovation can be brought in.
“Mike sees himself very much in his sweet spot there and is clearly a super competent engineer, credible and very respected in the organization. He will be a coach and sparring partner for the seniors.”
“And I’m actually very glad that Mike made that decision on his own to put himself in the role that he and James came to that conclusion, where we both have it in their genius.”
Design office changes
In addition to swapping the positions of Allison and Elliott, Mercedes has also changed the job profiles of its chief designers to better adapt the team to the cost cap environment.
Jerome d’Ambrosio, Director of Driver Development, Mercedes-AMG, Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG, Mick Schumacher, Reserve Driver, Mercedes-AMG
Photography: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Pictures
Wolff added: “John Owen as chief designer has a very different job profile under the cost cap because in addition to the creative part of designing the car, you have a lot of extra work that comes with it. What happened is becoming the chief designer in charge of the cost cap.
So, we split the role. John remained the lead designer, but we delegated that [his deputy] Giacomo Tortora to become the Engineering Director.
“This means John can focus on the details of the car’s design, and Giacomo takes care of the design and organizational development office.”
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Mercedes is currently working on a range of updates for its W14 model that it hopes will help it close the gap to Red Bull. Changes to the car are set to include a revamp of its sidewall concept.
Wolf said Allison’s return as technical director would see the team continue on its current developmental direction.
“We now have a path that we think is the right path,” he said. “It’s just different personalities and a different management structure.”