Mercedes has announced a shake-up to their technical team which sees engineering director Aldo Costa step back into an advisory role with the Brackley-based outfit.
In recent weeks, there has been criticism of the team but primarily those involved in strategy decisions, notably James Vowles, who publicly apologised to Lewis Hamilton over the radio after a mistake at the Austrian GP.
These changes are not believed to be linked to that, instead motorsport boss Toto Wolff insists it is part of the culture at the German manufacturer.
“This is a significant moment for our team and a great opportunity,” said the Austrian.
“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.”
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The changes include chief designer John Wood stepping up to lead the engineering operation, replacing Costa, with Wood directly reporting to technical director James Allison.
In addition, Mercedes performance director James Ellis will take a sabbatical with chief vehicle dynamicist Loic Serra moving into his position.
“Our drivers, anyone who is a fan of our team and, most of all, those of us lucky enough to work at Brackley and Brixworth, owe both Mark and Aldo a huge debt of gratitude,” Allison commented, with Ellis and Costa both key in building Mercedes to their dominant position from 2014.
“Aldo and Mark signalled their intention to step down over a year ago and have continued to give heart and soul to the company.
“Mark and Aldo pass on an unrivalled technical legacy to worthy and well-prepared successors to whom they have set a magnificent example of top-drawer technical leadership.”
