Lewis Hamilton’s long-term Mercedes ally Mike Elliott announces SHOCK resignation as chief technical officer – with the constructor winning just one race across the past two seasons
- Mercedes have won just one race in total across the 2022 and 2023 F1 seasons
- Mike Elliott was appointed to the role of chief technical officer in July 2021
- However, he has now announced his resignation after 11 years with Mercedes
Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott has resigned from his role after 11 years with the F1 team.
Elliott – who joined the constructor in 2012 as head of aerodynamics – rose through the ranks at Mercedes but has now announced his departure after their failure to win a race this season.
The 49-year-old only moved roles six months ago when he returned to his factory-based position at their Brackley HQ.
Elliott played a key part during Mercedes’ eight constructors’ championship wins from 2014 to 2022.
It comes as a big blow to Lewis Hamilton – who is still yet to win a race this season, but currently sits third in the drivers’ championship – with the seven-time world champion known to be allies with Elliott.
Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott has resigned after 11 years with the F1 team
It comes as a blow for Lewis Hamilton, with the seven-time world champion allies with Elliott
Elliott worked with McLaren as an aerodynamicist when Hamilton competed in his first season of Formula One in 2007 and they were together as the Brit won his first world championship a year later.
Along with eight constructors’ championship wins at Mercedes, Elliott was also present for their seven consecutive drivers’ titles from 2014 to 2021, with Hamilton winning six of these while Nico Rosberg was triumphant on the other occasion.
After his exit – which Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed was Elliott’s own decision – he said: ‘It has been one of the great privileges of my career to be part of this Mercedes team.
‘During the past six months, I have enjoyed developing the technical strategy that we hope can provide the foundations of the team’s next cycle of success.’
Elliott worked with McLaren as an aerodynamicist when Hamilton won his first title in 2008
Since he became chief technical officer, Mercedes have won one race (pictured – Toto Wolff)
The 49-year-old is now set to serve a period of gardening leave before deciding on the next steps in his career.
His promotion to technical director in July 2021 was made in anticipation of the biggest regulation changes in 40 years in the sport for the 2022 campaign.
However, it was unfortunately not a success as Mercedes have won just one race across the past two seasons, while Red Bull have gone from strength-to-strength and dominated.
There are three races remaining in the 2023 season, starting in Brazil this weekend.
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