2023-11-05 06:56:07
The departure of top engineer Mike Elliott from Mercedes has caused discussion in the Formula 1 paddock. He was largely responsible for the largely unsuccessful 2022 and 2023 models.
São Paulo.
According to team boss and co-owner Toto Wolff, the early departure of high-ranking top engineer Mike Elliott from the Mercedes Formula 1 racing team has nothing to do with the lack of success for some time.
“No, Mike was my number one employee for many, many years in terms of his performance,” emphasized Wolff on the sidelines of the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo. “We will miss one of the smartest people in this industry.”
Elliott, whose contract with the German factory team ended after this season, left the team before the Grand Prix weekend in Brazil. He worked for Mercedes for eleven years and was also involved in the successful era of the Silver Arrows, which from 2014 won the constructors’ title eight times in a row and was the drivers’ world champion seven times. In 2021, Elliott took over the position of technical director and was therefore responsible for technology.
The car for 2022 turned out to be practically without side pods but not ready for the title. It was only during the current season that Mercedes turned away from the daring concept. In April, Elliott’s predecessor James Allison took over the position of technical director again, and Elliot was appointed chief technical officer.
Wolff denied that Elliott had to pay the price of the lack of success. It is not the decision of a single person, emphasized Wolff, referring to a model concept.
The 51-year-old team boss also does not assume that the departure of the long-time top engineer will make the Silver Arrows weaker on the track. “If a car doesn’t perform as well, it’s not the fault of a single person. And a single person doesn’t make the car faster,” said Wolff. (dpa)
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