James Allison Credits Toto Wolff for Saving His Job at Mercedes F1
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SOCHI, RUSSIA – James Allison, Technical Director at Mercedes GP walks in the Paddock during final practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
James Allison has been the Technical Officer for the Mercedes Formula One team since 2017. Since then, he has been involved in the team’s successful efforts to win championships. However, in 2019, he decided to step back from his position, which he believed was the best move for everyone involved.
Fortunately, instead of letting him go, the team elected to promote him and make him the Chief Technical Officer of Mercedes-AMG F1, effective from July 1.
James Allison thought he was parting ways with Mercedes
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Speaking to The Race, Allison said, “When I felt that this was the right thing for me and the best thing for the team to step away, I very much thought that I would be stepping away to my sofa to cheer the team from the sidelines as a punter.”
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SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 07: James Allison, Technical Director at Mercedes GP looks on from the pit wall during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 7, 2017 in Suzuka. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“I didn’t imagine that there would be a space for me in the team, having relinquished this brilliant job. Happily, Toto saw it a little differently. And between us we worked on the manner in which I could contribute to the team.”
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Allison looks back at his time with the Silver Arrows
When he decided that he no longer wanted to continue as the Technical Director of the team, he knew that he would’ve missed the team a lot, but he also knew that it was the right decision.
He told The Race, “I know that it’s the right thing to do.
“It’s a brilliant job. But it is definitely the right thing for me. And it’s definitely the right thing for the team. And the second of those two is the more important.”
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He added, “But I’m pretty sure that I’ll be able to look back on this gilded period that I’ve been lucky enough to have late in my F1 career and just think how lucky.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 20: James Allison, chief technical director of Mercedes-AMG F1 Team at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 20, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/MB Media/Getty Images)
“I was to fall in with this group of people at this time, and be the technical director in what is arguably the most successful and amazing Formula 1 team that has ever been.”
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The seven-time world champions are preparing themselves for the qualifying session on Saturday. The Brackley-based squad looked dominant over both the practice session and hope to bring that momentum to Sunday.
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