"Owen has already been integral to Mercedes' 2026 entry, the W17, which is the 17th car over which he has had design responsibility for the German marque in what has been a remarkable career. He began in F1 with the Sauber team as an aerodynamicist and joined the Honda woks team in 2007 as a principal aerodynamicist. He remained there to take his first of nine constructors' titles when the team became Brawn in 2009."
"Owen was in the role as Mercedes went on to dominate F1 through the turbo hybrid era, winning eight constructors' titles and seven drivers' championships between 2014 and 2021. In 2023 he was promoted to become director of car design. His abilities and talents were well known within the sport but Owen maintained a low public profile, his focus solely on delivering the best possible car."
John Owen will leave Mercedes this season and will remain in his role until mid-season to manage the transition, followed by gardening leave and a break from F1. Mercedes will promote engineering director Giacomo Tortora to director of car design. Tortora has an established working relationship with technical director James Allison and deputy technical director Simone Resta. Owen has been integral to the W17, his 17th design for Mercedes, and was central to the team’s era of dominance, contributing to multiple constructors' and drivers' championships. There are no indications that Owen will join another team.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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