Just weeks before the start of the 2024 F1 season, Mercedes has made a big move. The team announced Thursday that it has agreed to a “long-term” contract extension with technical director James Allison.
Alisson has been involved in F1 since 1991, starting his career with the Benetton F1 Team as a junior aerodynamic designer after graduating from the University of Cambridge. His F1 journey has included several stops at Ferrari as well as Renault, where he was deputy technical director when Fernando Alonso won back-to-back drivers' championships in 2005 and 2006. The team won the constructors' title in those seasons as well. .
He eventually joined Mercedes as technical director in 2017, leading the team to five consecutive constructors' championships. During 2021 he moved into the role of Chief Technology Officer, overseeing a huge number of projects under the Mercedes banner and the team's long-term strategy. However, he technically returned to his director role in April 2023.
He will be in this role for a long time to come.
“Formula 1 has brought me many good fortunes, but nothing is greater than answering Toto's call to join Mercedes in 2017,” Alisson said in a statement released to the media. SB Nation. “It is an honor to continue this adventure, working with my talented colleagues and fighting together for championship success.”
“We are thrilled that James has committed his long-term future to our team. Simply put, he is the most impressive technical leader in our sport,” said team principal Toto Wolff. Ta. “His gladiator spirit, along with his knowledge, experience and determination, is second to none. But his influence and influence go far beyond that.
“He has been an important ally and sparring partner for me personally since joining in 2017. We are able to challenge each other openly and honestly. Wolff added: “But most importantly, James is a true friend who you can rely on not only in times of success but also in times of difficulty. It has been a great honor to work with him over the past seven years and I look forward to working with you even more in the future.”
The move comes weeks before the team breaks cover for challenger W15 for the 2023 season. It's also a critical time for the team's current and future. Not only does Mercedes need to get the design right for the 2024 Challenger (something they've struggled with in recent years, including the much-maligned 'zero pod' concept for the 2022 season); Furthermore, it is necessary to prepare for new regulations that will be introduced in the 2024 season. Impact of the 2026 season.
Under Alisson's technical leadership, the team won the constructors' title from 2017 to 2021. Alisson joined the team when designs for that season were already underway, so we can't fully link him with the 2017 title, but he was at the helm of the team. Titles from 2018 to 2021.
And during that period, Lewis Hamilton won the Drivers' Championship from 2017 to 2020.
The move also comes days after the team announced Wolfe's own long-term contract extension. And while Mercedes is under immense pressure to perform next season and push Red Bull into the lead, this move shows the team is confident in its vision for 2024 and beyond. is also shown. With Wolff at the helm, the team principal has led the team to eight constructors' championships and seven drivers' titles. Alisson now has a technical director, someone who has been in charge of at least some titles and who was also at the helm of Hamilton's last three titles.
That experience has paid off big in the past, and the team is now betting that it will pay off now and in the future.
