Mercedes change technical staff: Allison takes over Elliott's role

Big changes are coming to Mercedes' team. Chief Technical Officer James Allison and technical director Mike Elliot are swapping positions following disappointing performances, Motorsport.com reports.

At the end of 2021, Mike Elliot became Mercedes' new technical director after James Allison decided to step down. Allison went to work as technical director of the sailing team of INEOS, Mercedes' sponsor. Allison did stay on as Mercedes' chief technical officer and thus remained involved behind the scenes, but not on a day-to-day basis.

Allison's return

Since the poor start to the 2023 F1 season, rumours have been buzzing about Allison's return to Mercedes. Elliott failed to bring Mercedes back to the top and Allison would take the helm again. Mercedes informed GPblog that Allison never left either and was therefore seen again in a Mercedes video.

Now Mercedes announces to Motorsport.com that there has been a change after all. Elliott himself is said to have offered to become CTO, as that position better suits his qualities. Allison will return as technical director, having been world champion with Mercedes on several occasions in that role.