MERCEDES chief technical officer Mike Elliott has introduced his resignation with instant impact.
Elliott, 49, has left the staff after 11 years in wake of the eight-time champions’ failure to win a race this season.
Lewis Hamilton’s long run colleague has vacated his positionCredit score: Splash
Mike Elliott spent 11 years with MercedesCredit score: 2022 Getty Photos
Elliott’s shock departure comes simply six months after swapping his position, and shifting again to his earlier factory-based place in Brackley.
He was working for McLaren as an aerodynamicist when Hamilton entered Formulation One in 2007.
Collectively, they gained Hamilton’s first world championship in 2008.
The Englishman then joined Mercedes as head of aerodynamics in 2012 following a spell with Renault/Lotus.
He was a central determine of their eight consecutive constructors’ championship wins from 2014-2022.
The staff additionally gained seven consecutive drivers’ titles from 2014-2021, six with Lewis Hamilton and one with Nico Rosberg.
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff mentioned Elliott’s exit was his personal resolution.
Elliott instructed workers on Monday night and is now anticipated to serve a interval of gardening depart earlier than he decides what’s subsequent for his profession.
He mentioned: “It has been one of many nice privileges of my profession to be a part of this Mercedes staff.
“In the course of the previous six months, I’ve loved growing the technical technique that we hope can present the foundations of the staff’s subsequent cycle of success.”
Elliott’s promotion to technical director in July 2021 – in preparation for the 2022 season, for which F1 launched its largest regulation adjustments for 40 years – was not successful.
James Allison had been director since 2017, and the change was met with scepticism inside the F1 paddock.
The staff selected a radical design philosophy which grew to become generally known as the “zero-sidepod” idea, which has seen Mercedes’ supremacy plummet.
It was very totally different from that employed by Purple Bull, who’ve gone on to dominate the final two seasons.
Mercedes gained just one race in 2022, with George Russell in Brazil, and have didn’t repeat that success this yr.
There are three races remaining, beginning in Brazil on Sunday.
Hamilton gained his first world championship at McLaren in 2008Credit score: PA