Jonas LeoBrackley, UK – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team has confirmed the departure of its long-serving lead car designer, John Owen, signaling a significant technical transition for the eight-time Constructors’ Champions. The announcement, made on Tuesday morning, details that Owen will relinquish his role as Director of Car Design over the course of the 2026 Formula 1 season, having made the personal decision to take a break from the demanding environment of the sport. He will facilitate the transition to his successor before commencing a period of gardening leave later this year.
Owen’s tenure at the Brackley-based squad spans nearly two decades, a period marked by both foundational development and unparalleled success. He initially joined the team in 2007 during its Honda guise, demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability as the outfit navigated various ownership changes. His talent quickly became evident, culminating in a pivotal role as Principal Aerodynamicist during the Cinderella story of the 2009 Brawn GP campaign, which saw the team clinch both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships against all odds, powered by a Mercedes engine.
Following Mercedes-Benz’s acquisition of Brawn GP in late 2009, ushering in the modern Mercedes F1 era, Owen was appointed Chief Designer. This promotion placed him at the heart of the team’s technical leadership, where he was entrusted with the design architecture of every subsequent Mercedes F1 car. His influence touched a remarkable 17 different chassis designs, from the early W01 of 2010 to the conceptual stages of the forthcoming 2026 W17, which will adhere to a radically new set of technical regulations. This longevity and breadth of responsibility underscore his profound impact on the team’s engineering philosophy and on-track performance.
Owen’s most celebrated contributions came during Mercedes’ unprecedented hybrid era dominance, which commenced in 2014. From that season through 2021, the team secured an unparalleled run of eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships, a feat unmatched in Formula 1 history. Concurrently, Mercedes drivers, most notably Lewis Hamilton, claimed seven Drivers’ Championships within the same period (2014-2020), with Nico Rosberg adding another in 2016. Owen’s design leadership was integral to the creation of these championship-winning machines, renowned for their innovative aerodynamic concepts, structural integrity, and exceptional performance envelope. The W05, W06, W07, W08, W09, W10, and W11 all bore his imprint, becoming benchmarks for engineering excellence in grand prix racing. His ability to translate complex aerodynamic and mechanical principles into highly competitive racing cars was a cornerstone of the team’s era-defining success.
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The announcement of Owen’s departure comes at a critical juncture for Mercedes. While their dominance of the hybrid era remains etched in the sport’s history, the team has faced significant challenges since the introduction of new ground-effect aerodynamic regulations in 2022. The W13 and W14, and to a lesser extent the current W15, have struggled to consistently match the pace of rivals like Red Bull Racing, highlighting a period of intense technical re-evaluation and development at Brackley. The team’s efforts to return to championship-winning form have seen various technical adjustments and personnel shifts in recent seasons, including a public acknowledgment of issues with their car concepts. In this context, the planned exit of a figure with Owen’s deep institutional knowledge and design experience, particularly ahead of the pivotal 2026 regulation changes, will necessitate a carefully managed transition.
The 2026 regulations represent a seismic shift in Formula 1’s technical landscape, introducing entirely new power unit architectures alongside revised chassis and aerodynamic rules designed to promote closer racing and sustainability. Teams are already heavily invested in research and development for these new regulations, making the transition of key technical personnel especially sensitive. Owen’s involvement in the early conceptual work for the W17, the car designed for the 2026 season, means his departure requires a seamless handover to ensure continuity and avoid any disruption to the team’s long-term competitive strategy.
Mercedes has outlined its succession plan, emphasizing internal promotion to maintain continuity and leverage existing talent within the organization. Giacomo Tortora, currently serving as the team’s Engineering Director, will step into the crucial role of Director of Car Design. Furthermore, Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta will assume oversight of this design group, indicating a streamlined technical leadership structure aimed at fostering collaboration and efficiency. This internal restructuring reflects a broader trend within successful F1 teams to cultivate and promote from within, ensuring that core philosophies and methodologies are retained while bringing fresh perspectives to leadership roles.
The team released a concise statement regarding Owen’s exit: "We wish John all the very best for the future and thank him for the considerable role he has played in the team’s success." Owen’s decision to take a break from Formula 1 is a testament to the relentless demands of working at the pinnacle of motorsport, where pressure for performance is constant and intense. The concept of "gardening leave" is standard practice in Formula 1, designed to prevent highly skilled personnel from immediately transferring sensitive intellectual property and strategic insights to a rival team. This period ensures a clean break, protecting the departing individual’s future options while safeguarding the team’s competitive edge.
John Owen’s legacy at Mercedes is inextricably linked to one of Formula 1’s most dominant eras. His departure marks the end of an significant chapter for the Silver Arrows, paving the way for a new generation of technical leadership as the team navigates the challenges of current competition and prepares for the significant regulatory overhaul of 2026. The coming months will be crucial for Tortora, Resta, and the entire Mercedes technical department as they work to build the foundation for future success in a rapidly evolving sport.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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