{"id":427105,"date":"2026-01-21T06:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T06:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/427105\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T06:06:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T06:06:16","slug":"f1-news-mercedes-lead-f1-car-designer-to-leave-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/427105\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 news: Mercedes\u2019 lead F1 car designer to leave team"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Mercedes\u2019
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJohn Owen on the podium at the British Grand Prix in 2016 alongside Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Image: XPB Images <\/p>\n

Owen joined the Brackley-based squad in 2007, when it operated under the Honda name, and remained through its transformation into Brawn GP and then Mercedes.<\/p>\n

He was instrumental in the team\u2019s success, contributing to the 2009 double championship for Brawn and later eight consecutive constructors\u2019 titles and seven drivers\u2019 championships for Mercedes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn has been with our Brackley team since 2007 and played a considerable role in our success,\u201d the team said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been a key part of 9 constructors\u2019 championships across the time he has worked here and this year\u2019s W17 marks the 17th car for which he has had overall design responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wish John all the very best for the future and thank him for the considerable role he has played in the team\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Owen has chosen to take a break from F1 and will assist in the transition to his successor before beginning a period of gardening leave later in 2026.<\/p>\n

Mercedes confirmed that Giacomo Tortora, currently the team\u2019s Engineering Director, will take over as Director of Car Design, with Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta overseeing the group.<\/p>\n

The team will reveal renders of their 2026 car, the W17, on Thursday, ahead of a digital launch on February 2.<\/p>\n

All the key dates ahead of the 2026 F1 season<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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