Allison didn’t want to be an “old embarrassment” for the Mercedes F1 team

Allison recently announced that he will take up a new position as Chief Technical Officer in July. Technology director Mike Elliott will replace him.

While Allison has played an important role in keeping Mercedes at the forefront of Formula 1 since stepping into the outfit in early 2017, it has been clear to him for some time that he didn’t want to stay past where he felt he was Best.

At his last contract talks in 2019, he already intended to take a step back to make sure he was handing things over in the best possible shape.

“I wanted to make sure that I could stay loyal to this team, that I would commit to being a technical director for a period of time where I could earn my salt, but not going beyond my reception and knowing when the right one Time for that is step away, ”he said.

“I would much rather if this were done while I was still useful than become an old embarrassment, and that was what bothered me at the time.

“During the period that I felt very comfortable and confident as Technical Director, we worked together to ensure that the transition from me to Mike would be a success and give the company all the benefits that come from the strength of a new one Set of responsible hands. “

Allison originally believed that stepping down from the role of technical director would end all ties with the Mercedes team. Team boss Toto Wolff thought it was important that Allison is closely connected to the outfit, which is why he decided to transfer him to a new CTO position.

“When I felt like it was the right thing for me and the best for the team to step back, I really thought I was going to step on my sofa to cheer the team off as a punter from the sidelines. ” he explained.

James Allison, Technical Director of Mercedes AMG, and Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes AMG

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

“I didn’t think there would be a place on the team that gave up this brilliant job.

“Fortunately, Toto saw things differently and we worked together to save the way in which I could contribute to the team, but with the absolute setback that my future role could in no way undermine the vital importance of technical director having the really right responsibility that the technical director should have under himself for the challenge.

“The new role had to be one that wasn’t on the forefront, not part of everyday life, not part of the current car or even next year’s car.

“It had to be a role where I could focus on longer-term things and examine what challenges the entire company might face and how we can best technically equip ourselves to make sure we are well prepared for them.

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“It really is what it is described as. It is not an operational role reserved for a technical director. “

And while Allison believes his time at Mercedes was the most fun time of his F1 career, he believes he’s doing the right thing to take a step back.

“I’m sure it’s the right thing, but a big part of me yells at me and says, ‘What on earth are you doing?'” He said.

“It’s definitely the right thing for me and it’s definitely the right thing for the team. The second of these two is the more important.

“I’m pretty sure I can look back on that golden time when I was lucky enough to be late in my F1 career and think about how lucky I was at that time and with this group to collapse of people Be part of what is arguably the most successful and impressive Formula 1 team that has ever existed. “