(Motorsports news) Mike Elliott, who joined the team in 2012 as head of aerodynamics after stints at McLaren and Renault/Lotus, has been important in Mercedes’ success in F1 throughout the turbo hybrid era. But, with his present contract expiring later this year and his stepping down as technical director earlier this year in a job exchange with James Allison, he has decided that now is the time to move on.

Elliott made the announcement to plant workers on Monday evening and is now set to take gardening leave before deciding what to do with his career. Elliott explained his choice, saying he needed a break from the stress of F1 after 23 years of working nonstop. “It has been one of the great privileges of my career to be part of this Mercedes team,” he said.

“I’ve seen it grow from a group of people working together to win races, then a first championship, to a record eight consecutive constructors’ championships.” I am honored to have contributed to that adventure. “Although we have not won races in the manner we aspire to, the last two seasons have tested us in many other ways – and forced us to question our fundamental assumptions about how we deliver performance,” Elliot went on to say.

“Over the last six months, I’ve enjoyed developing the technical strategy that we hope will lay the groundwork for the team’s next successful cycle. I’ve decided that now is the right time to move on from Mercedes, first to pause and reflect after 23 years of working nonstop in this sport, and then to find my next challenge. I would like to thank my team-mates for a fantastic 12 seasons together and wish them every success for the years to come.”

Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, was among the first to recognize Elliott’s commitment to the team. “Mike has been one of the pillars of the team’s achievements over the past decade, and it’s with truly mixed feelings that we say goodbye to him today,” Wolff said. “Mike is a fiercely intelligent technical brain and a great team player; he has made a significant contribution not only to winning racing cars but also to shaping our team’s culture.”

“However, it’s clear that he’s ready for new adventures outside of Mercedes, so I know this is the right step for him to take as well. He leaves the team today with our thanks for the effort, commitment, and expertise he has brought to the team over the past 11 years – and our very best wishes for the future.”

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