Mercedes shuffles F1 technical team as Allison and Elliott swap jobs

The switch, which forms part of a raft of changes the team is making to help it return to the front of the F1 grid, will see Allison return to the role of technical director, while Elliott is to take up the position of Chief Technical Officer.

The bold change, which comes 20 months after Allison originally moved into the CTO position, has been prompted by Elliott concluding that the skills he had were not best suited to his position as technical director.

With the squad having done some soul-searching after a difficult start to the 2023 season, Elliott agreed with Allison that the team would be better set if they changed roles.

Speaking about the move, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Motorsport.com: “This was very much driven by Mike Elliott owning the process.

“So, we have reversed the roles. Mike has moved up to CTO, as he has a brilliant switched-on scientific mind. And James Allison has returned to his technical director position, reporting into Mike.”

While Allison’s previous role as CTO meant he only worked three days per week, Elliott will be committed full time.

It is also understood that Allison will retain a level of involvement in the America’s Cup project that he was working on during his time as CTO.

Allison’s “gladiator” spirit

Wolff explained that Elliott believed Allison was far better suited to the technical director role, where there is more hands-on responsibility for the car, and it would be advantageous for him to focus on wider organisational technical developments that play to his own strengths.

“What Mike’s assessment was, and the introspection is really admirable, is that with James we have a gladiator on the field and the troops are going to go through the fire for him and with him,” added Wolff.

“Mike came to the conclusion that the way he approaches things, his skill set, is best utilised in developing the organisation going forward: from technical capabilities to human capabilities and putting together the structure that can be successful for many years to come.

“It’s about creating a structure that can be sustainably successful going into the next generation.

“We’re seeing huge changes in the technical developments, artificial intelligence and machine learning. And at the same time, looking at how is a modern Formula 1 team going to be organised and structured: what kind of innovation can be brought in.

“Mike sees himself very much in his…