Mercedes to make major changes to tech team in 2019

The Mercedes Formula 1 team will make a series of major changes to restructure its technical leadership team ahead of next season. 

Most significantly, Aldo Costa will step aside from his role of engineering director and move into into a consultancy position of technical advisor to the team from the start of 2019.

Costa has spearheaded Mercedes’ technical operation since he joined the German manufacturer in 2011, going on to play a key role in overseeing the design of each of the team’s championship winning cars in the current V6 hybrid era. 

As part of the changes the reigning world champions has described as a “planned transition”, chief designer John Owen - a member of the team since 2011 - will take up a senior role under the leadership of technical director James Allison. 

Performance director Mark Ellis retire from his position in order to take a sabbatical period beginning in mid-2019, enabling current chief vehicle dynamicist Loic Serra to take up the role.

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