Mercedes reshuffle technical team as James Allison and Mike Elliott swap roles

James Allison has returned to the role of technical director at Mercedes

James Allison has returned to the role of technical director at Mercedes as part of a reshuffle by the former world champions as they seek to recover from a difficult start to the season.

Mercedes have confirmed to Sky Sports News that Allison has swapped roles with Mike Elliott, who moves to chief technical officer, as first reported by Motorsport.com.

Elliott had originally replaced Allison as technical director in 2021 when Allison moved into the newly-created chief technical officer role.

Sky Sports News understands the job swap came about several weeks ago, with Allison to once again attend race weekends on a more regular basis.

Elliott is understood to have prompted the decision having concluded his skills were not best suited to the technical director role. Allison will report to Elliott following the swap.

Allison’s more competitive approach is regarded as a better driver of Mercedes in-season performance.

A Mercedes spokesperson told Sky Sports News: “Mike has led a review of our technical organisation to ensure we have the right structure to deliver sustainable success in the future.

“We are focussed on building the best racing car – and building the best team to develop that car, with everybody playing to their greatest strengths in the orgainsation.”

The reshuffle to Mercedes’ technical teams comes a week before the F1 season resumes in Azerbaijan.

The Silver Arrows have once again started the season playing catch-up having persisted with their concept following 2022’s rules overhaul.

Mercedes are third in the constructors’ championship, 67 points behind reigning champions Red Bull and nine points behind Aston Martin.

Lewis Hamilton complained after the season-opening Bahrain GP that Mercedes’ design team had not listened to his recommendations for this year’s car.

Team boss Toto Wolff also said after qualifying in Bahrain that the team needed to switch focus after conceding they had been wrong to stick with their concept.

On Thursday, Wolff said in a Mercedes Q&A that the team are now on the “right trajectory” with their car.