Mercedes loses one of its key engineers

Classic Mercedes for sale Formula 1 is losing one of its key figures in single-seater engineering and design. After 19 years with the Brackley-based team, British engineer John Owen will be leaving the team.

« We can confirm that John Owen, our automotive design director, has decided that the time has come to take a break from F1 and that he will leave the team later this year to begin a period of gardening leave, after ensuring a smooth handover to his successor,” Mercedes announces. John has been part of our Brackley team since 2007 and has played a significant role in our success. He has been a key contributor to nine Constructors' Championships during his time here. This year's W17 marks the 17th car for which he has had overall design responsibility. We wish John all the best for the future and thank him for his considerable contribution to the team's success. »

A successful career

He began his Formula 1 career with Sauber in 2002 before joining Honda in 2007, later Brawn GP, ​​as chief aerodynamicist. In 2010, when the team was acquired by Mercedes, Owen was promoted to chief designer. In 2023, as part of a restructuring to comply with the budget cap, he took on the role of design director, which he still holds today. John Owen has thus made a significant contribution to Mercedes' era of dominance and their nine World Constructors' Championship titles (2009 – Brawn GP and from 2014 to 2021 – Mercedes).

To ensure a smooth transition, he will remain in his position for a few more months to train his successor before taking a leave of absence to garden. Giacomo Tortora, currently the engineering director, will take over Owen's role. The two have collaborated in the past. Simone Resta will continue to oversee the technical department. John Owen's final project, the W17, will be unveiled on January 22.

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