James Allison took over as chief technical officer when Elliott was appointed technical director of Mercedes in 2021. Following a review led by Elliott, Mercedes reversed this role switch after Allison struggled in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Elliott then took over as chief technical officer once more, but he has since announced his departure from the tea
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F1 experts’ inquiries Hamilton’s role in the Mercedes personnel transition
F1 experts’ inquiries Hamilton’s role in the Mercedes personnel transitionImage: © LAT Pictures
Gaunt Cal
Wed., Nov. 1, 2023, 19:57
Craig Slater of Sky F1 has questioned whether Mike Elliott’s role change at Mercedes was influenced by Lewis Hamilton.
In 2021, Elliott took over as Mercedes’ technical director, promoting James Allison to chief technical officer.
Following an Elliott-led review and Mercedes’s struggles in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, they reversed this role switch.
Elliott took over as chief technical officer once more, and Allison went back to being the technical director. Elliott spent 11 years with Mercedes, but he has since announced his departure from the team.
Hamilton’s F1 career was in doubt following the
m after 11 years.
controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi title decider and Mercedes’ underperformance in 2022. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton signed a contract extension with Mercedes through 2025.
Still, he was critical of Mercedes’ lack of responsiveness to his input for the W14 at the start of the 2023 season, and Slater has now speculated whether Hamilton’s role impacted Mercedes’ decision to return Allison to his former role.