Mercedes’ long-serving lead designer John Owen has resigned from his function, the System 1 workforce has confirmed.
The Silver Arrows introduced on Tuesday morning that Owen will depart over the course of the 2026 season, relinquishing his function of director of automotive design.
In response to the workforce, Owen made the choice to take a break from F1 and can help with the transition of his successor earlier than commencing his gardening go away interval later this yr.
Owen joined the Brackley squad in 2007 and was an integral a part of Mercedes’ eight constructors’ titles (2014-21) and 7 drivers’ championships (2014-20).
Michael Schumacher with John Owen, Principal Aerodynamicist for Mercedes Grand Prix
Photograph by: Brawn GP System One Staff
Having beforehand served as an aerodynamicist at Sauber, Owen joined the workforce in its Honda days and stayed on for the title-winning 2009 Brawn GP marketing campaign as principal aerodynamicist.
The Briton was subsequently appointed chief designer when the workforce was purchased by Mercedes and was accountable for automotive design for every of the marque’s 17 F1 automobiles, together with the 2026 W17.
Mercedes stated: “We want John all the perfect for the long run and thank him for the appreciable function he has performed within the workforce’s success.
“John’s function can be stuffed by inside promotion. Giacomo Tortora (at present our engineering director) will turn into the workforce’s new director of automotive design, with deputy technical director Simone Resta overseeing this group.”
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