Design Legend John Owen to Depart Mercedes Following Two Decades of Dominance

The announcement of Owen’s exit comes at a pivotal moment as Mercedes prepares to unveil its 2026 challenger, the W17, which marks the final car under Owen's direct design oversight. While the veteran engineer has decided to take a well-earned break from the high-pressure environment of Formula 1, the team has acted swiftly to ensure stability by promoting Giacomo Tortora to the role of Director of Car Design. Supported by Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta, the new leadership structure aims to recapture the team's championship-winning form, blending Owen's storied legacy with fresh technical perspectives as a new generation of power units and aerodynamics prepares to hit the grid.

The Architect of a Golden Era Steps Away

John Owen’s journey with the Brackley team began in 2007, and since then, he has been the quiet force behind some of the most successful racing machines in history. Having remained with the outfit through its transition from Honda to the miracle championship of Brawn GP in 2009, Owen became the chief architect of Mercedes' dominant "Silver Arrows" era starting in 2010. His ability to translate complex aerodynamic theories into world-beating chassis designs made him one of the most respected figures in the Formula 1 pit lane.

During his tenure, Owen oversaw the design of 17 different cars, contributing to nine Constructors' Titles and seven Drivers' Championships. His meticulous approach to car architecture was a primary reason for the team’s reliability and speed, particularly between 2014 and 2021. As he prepares to begin a period of gardening leave, the team has expressed profound gratitude for his nearly two decades of service, noting that Owen’s influence will be felt in the DNA of the team for many years to come.

Ensuring a Seamless Transition at Brackley

To maintain the momentum gathered during the development of the 2026 car, Mercedes has opted for an internal promotion strategy that emphasizes continuity. Giacomo Tortora, formerly the Engineering Director, has been named the new Director of Car Design and will take over the reins as Owen winds down his responsibilities. This move is designed to minimize disruption during a critical year where the entire grid is starting from a clean sheet of paper due to the radical new technical regulations.

Complementing Tortora’s promotion is the increased involvement of Simone Resta, the Deputy Technical Director who joined the team with a wealth of experience from Ferrari and Haas. Resta will oversee the design group, providing a layer of senior technical oversight that combines external expertise with Mercedes' internal culture. This reshuffled leadership team is tasked with ensuring that the transition from the "Owen era" to the next chapter is handled with the precision for which the Silver Arrows are known.

The W17: Owen’s Final Masterpiece

While Owen is set to leave later in 2026, his fingerprints are all over the upcoming W17, the first car designed under the highly anticipated 2026 regulations. These rules introduce active aerodynamics and a significantly increased reliance on electrical power, presenting a massive challenge to design teams across the paddock. For Owen, the W17 represents the 17th and final project for which he held overall design responsibility, making it a symbolic bookend to his illustrious career.

The team is currently finalizing the W17 ahead of its digital launch and subsequent pre-season testing in Barcelona. Expectations are sky-high, as Mercedes looks to return to the top of the standings after a challenging "ground effect" era that saw them fall behind rivals Red Bull and McLaren. If the W17 proves to be a success, it will serve as the perfect parting gift from Owen, proving that his design philosophy remains at the cutting edge of the sport even as he prepares for his next chapter.

Navigating the 2026 Technical Revolution

The departure of a lead designer is always a major storyline, but it is magnified by the scale of the 2026 rule changes. Formula 1 is shifting toward 100% sustainable fuels and a 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and the battery. These changes require a total rethink of car packaging and cooling—areas where Owen’s expertise has historically given Mercedes an edge. The new design team will have to master the "nimble car" concept, which aims for lighter, smaller chassis to improve racing.

The integration of active aero, which includes movable front and rear wings to reduce drag on straights, is another area where the Tortora-Resta partnership will be tested. Rivals will undoubtedly look at Owen’s departure as a potential moment of vulnerability for the Silver Arrows. However, the team’s leadership remains confident that the foundations Owen built are robust enough to withstand his absence, citing the deep well of talent within the Brackley design office as their greatest asset.

A Legacy That Redefined Professionalism

Beyond the trophies and championships, John Owen will be remembered for the professional culture he helped cultivate within the Mercedes design department. His tenure was marked by a lack of ego and a relentless focus on collective success, qualities that Team Principal Toto Wolff has frequently praised. By staying on to ensure a smooth transition to his successor, Owen is once again putting the team's future ahead of his own schedule, a final act of loyalty to the squad he helped build.

As the 2026 season approaches, the focus will inevitably shift to the drivers and the on-track battles, but the departure of a figure like Owen serves as a reminder of the thousands of hours of engineering that occur behind the scenes. Whether the Silver Arrows can maintain their status as a frontrunner without their long-time design lead remains to be seen, but John Owen’s place in the history books is already secure. His legacy is one of excellence, innovation, and an era of dominance that may never be repeated in the sport.