Mercedes chief ‘quits’ before Brazil GP as barren Hamilton run continues

Lewis Hamilton commits to Mercedes until 2025

Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott has handed in his resignation ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The aerodynamics expert has been unable to inspire a turnaround in fortunes for the Silver Arrows this season, with Lewis Hamilton still chasing his first race win since 2021.

The first signs of Elliott becoming unsettled with the Silver Arrows emerged earlier this year. Back in April, he decided that his skills were not best suited to the role of technical director, and swapped jobs with James Allison to become chief technical officer.

Only six months down the line, Elliott has once again requested a change, but this time it involves him leaving the team altogether. The 49-year-old is now on gardening leave, having completed his last day at the Brackley headquarters on Tuesday.

Elliott joined Mercedes in 2012, becoming their head of aerodynamics before moving to the role of technology director five years later. Four years in that position followed before a chop-and-change spell with Allison preceded his resignation.

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“After 11 incredible years, Chief Technical Officer Mike Elliott has chosen to depart the team,” wrote the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s official X account. “Mike has been one of the pillars of the team’s achievements and we thank him for everything he has brought to the team. We wish you the best of luck with your next chapter, Mike!”

It remains to be seen how team principal Toto Wolff will respond to the news, and which member of Mercedes’ backroom department will take Elliott’s place.

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Whoever does so will step in at a challenging time, with the Silver Arrows yet to win a Grand Prix in 2023. The team only have three more opportunities to do so as Red Bull continue to rack up victories while the season draws to a close.

Mercedes’ first race without Elliott will come this weekend in Brazil, where George Russell won the team’s last Grand Prix almost a year ago. Hamilton is on a particularly barren run, with the seven-time world champion yet to stand atop the podium since 2021.

Considering his background as an aerodynamics guru, Elliott drew criticism for overseeing and implementing Mercedes’ ‘zero sidepods’ design, which ultimately failed to produce results.

If the Brit’s new chapter lies in F1, it will have to wait until the conclusion of his gardening leave. But the success he enjoyed at Mercedes prior to last season suggests that others on the grid may attempt to snap him up.

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