With only days remaining before the presentation of the new Mercedes W17—the car the Brackley-based team will race in the 2026 F1 season under the new technical regulations—the Anglo-German team has announced a significant change within its technical structure. John Owen, the current Director of Car Design, has decided to step away from his role to take a break from Formula 1. His departure will take place before the end of the year, allowing for a smooth transition and minimizing potential disruptions for the team and its working methods.
A long history
Owen’s departure is a major event for Toto Wolff’s team due to his long tenure and extensive experience both within Mercedes and across the F1 paddock. Having joined Mercedes in 2007, the British engineer has played a pivotal role in the team’s recent history, contributing significantly to the nine constructors’ championships the Anglo-German outfit secured during the turbo-hybrid era.
Before stepping down, John Owen also contributed to the design and development of the car that will compete in the upcoming season—the seventeenth vehicle designed under his leadership. After several challenging years, the W17 is expected to bring Mercedes back into contention for top positions, pole positions, and race victories.
Another ex-Ferrari
While Owen prepares to leave, Mercedes has officially announced his successor. After careful consideration, Toto Wolff and his team have opted for an internal promotion. Giacomo Tortora, a former Ferrari engineer, will take over as Director of Car Design in the coming weeks. Tortora joined Mercedes in 2019 following a sudden departure from Maranello, and he will now oversee the team responsible for developing the new W17 alongside the widely discussed Simone Resta, the current Deputy Technical Director.
This marks another Italian ex-Scuderia member helping to shape Mercedes’ car development, bringing continuity and technical expertise as the team prepares to face the 2026 F1 season.
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