Mercedes are hoping to challenge Red Bull and Max Verstappen when the new season gets underway, and they’ve just been handed a major boost.
Mercedes have been handed a major boost in their long-term fight with Red Bull after technical director James Allison signed a new contract that will keep him with the team into the new regulation period in 2026.
The 55-year-old joined the Silver Arrows back in 2017, helping to extend Mercedes’ run of Constructors’ Championship triumphs with five consecutive titles claimed during his time as technical director.
After moving into the role of chief technical officer, Mike Elliott was brought in to the role of technical director, but the pair were swapped around after the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Elliott has since left the Brackley-based team and with Mercedes heading back in the right direction under Allison, Lewis Hamilton is better placed to fight Max Verstappen and Red Bull in the future.
After signing his new contract, Allison said: “F1 has brought me a lot of good fortune, but none greater than answering Toto’s call to join Mercedes in 2017. It is a great privilege to continue this adventure, working alongside brilliant colleagues and fighting together for championship success.”
This sentiment was echoed by team principal Toto Wolff, who said: “I am thrilled that James has committed his long-term future to the team. Put simply, he is the most impressive technical leader in our sport.
“His gladiator spirit, along with his knowledge, experience, and determination, make him second-to-none. His influence and impact, however, goes so much further than that.”
Wolff also recently signed a new contract with Mercedes, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal that will see him continue in the team principal role that he has occupied for a decade.
With Allison and Wolff still committed to the project and both Hamilton and George Russell tied down until the end of the current regulation period, it is clear that there is still belief that Mercedes can return to World Championship contention.
The Silver Arrows failed to claim a single Grand Prix victory last season, while historical rivals Red Bull won 21 out of a possible 22. Despite the dominance of Verstappen, who won the title by 290 points, Hamilton still holds hope that with Mercedes heading in the right direction, he can claim his record-breaking eighth World Championship.
