Mercedes Revamp Technical Structure for 2019

For the 2019 F1 season, the Mercedes AMG F1 team will have a revamped technical structure within the team. As part of this rearranging, engineering director Aldo Costa will move into a consultancy role for 2019.

Costa joined Mercedes in 2011 after a lengthy spell at Ferrari. While with the Scuderia, he held the post of technical director from 2007.

The Italian has been considered as one of the key technical architects in Mercedes’ four consecutive F1 championship doubles. But now, he feels that the time is right to ease up on his involvement.

While Costa shifts to a technical advisory role, chief designer John Owen will step up to head the engineering group. As part of his duties, Owen will report to technical director James Allison.

Other changes at Mercedes include performance director Mark Ellis retiring from his current position. Ellis will begin a sabbatical from Formula One in the middle of 2019.

He had previously worked at Red Bull and BAR, will be succeeded by chief vehicle dynamicist Loic Serra.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “This is a significant moment for our team and a great opportunity.

“We have said many times that you cannot freeze a successful organisation; it is a dynamic structure and I am proud that we are able to hand the baton smoothly to the next generation of leaders inside the team.”

Following their disappointing performance in Silverstone, the team are working hard to iron out the weaknesses. One particular issue that needs addressing is their race starts.

Hamilton started the grand prix from pole position but lost out at the start. He was overtaken by Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas.

He found himself third and at the mercy of Kimi Raikkonen. Next thing he was tagged by the Finn and dropped to P18. If Hamilton hadn’t made such a poor getaway, the incident with Raikkonen could have been avoided.