James Allison, who was instrumental in the dominance of Mercedes in the turbo-hybrid era, has left his role as the team’s technical director. He is now Chief Technical Officer for the Silver Arrows, with Mike Elliott replacing his old position. Regarding his time as the team’s technical director, Allison also spoke about the process of choosing his successor.
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Elliott, who previously served as Technology Director, joined the team as Head of Aerodynamics in 2021. Before joining the Mercedes crew, he was associated with McLaren F1 (aerodynamicist, track aerodynamicist and aerodynamic performance team leader) from 2000-08 and with Renault F1 (chief aerodynamicist) from 2008-12.
Formula 1 F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 3, 2021, Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes in action in qualifying REUTERS / Lisi Niesner
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I have very mixed feelings about that: James Allison
Allison will start his new job in early July, according to PlanetF1, and embed his successor in his job as technical director. He explained how he felt about the choice of his successor: “I have very mixed feelings.
SOCHI, RUSSIA – James Allison, Technical Director at Mercedes GP, walks in the paddock during the final training for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Russia at the Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images)
“This is by far the best, most exciting, and fulfilling job I’ve had in my career, and I loved every moment of being Technical Director here for the four seasons before and at halftime.
“And so it is a strange experience to voluntarily choose to pass this on to a successor, because it is not normal to move away from something you love,” said the former technical director.
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Mike will strongly reinforce the role of Mercedes technical director: James Allison
Having worked closely with Elliott, Allison believes the former is well equipped to become Mercedes’ new technical director. He also stated that he will support Eliott during the transition to keep him updated with the title.
He said, “But anyway, the next person, Mike, will pick up the baton from me and accelerate with it. He will bring strength and dedication. I am sure the team will be served very well. His technical judgment and his values and behavior as a manager are first class. “
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It will be difficult for Mike to follow in Allison’s footsteps, especially given the success Mercedes later helped bring about. Do you think Elliott will be able to take the Silver Arrows to new heights?
The post Allison explains why it was “weird” to choose Elliot as Mercedes F1 technical director first appeared on monter-une-startup.
