Mercedes Formula 1 team announces new technical structure for 2019
Mercedes Formula 1 engineering director Aldo Costa will step back and move into a consultancy role for 2019 as part of a shake-up of the team's technical structure
Costa originally joined Mercedes in 2011 after a lengthy spell at Ferrari, which had included him being technical director from 2007.
The Italian has been viewed as one of the key technical architects in Mercedes' four consecutive F1 championship doubles, but feels the time is right to wind back his involvement.
Ahead of Costa's shift to a technical advisory role, chief designer John Owen will step up to head the engineering group and report to technical director James Allison.
In other changes at Mercedes, its performance director Mark Ellis has decided to retire from his current position and will begin a sabbatical from the middle of next year.
Ellis, who had previously worked at Red Bull and BAR, will be replaced at the end of this year by chief vehicle dynamicist Loic Serra.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: "This is a significant moment for our team and a great opportunity.
"We have said many times that you cannot freeze a successful organisation; it is a dynamic structure and I am proud that we are able to hand the baton smoothly to the next generation of leaders inside the team."
How a wonky pit box underlines F1's most ambitious comeback
Robert Kubica: 'Mega' F1 reputation masked 'rookie' reality of 2017
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
Why McLaren's revamp is not just about its 2023 F1 car struggles
Why McLaren's revamp is not just about its 2023 F1 car struggles Why McLaren's revamp is not just about its 2023 F1 car struggles
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Russell: Mercedes has more pace in its locker for next F1 races
Russell: Mercedes has more pace in its locker for next F1 races Russell: Mercedes has more pace in its locker for next F1 races
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
Yamaha “still far away” from what it needs from 2023 MotoGP engine
Yamaha “still far away” from what it needs from 2023 MotoGP engine Yamaha “still far away” from what it needs from 2023 MotoGP engine
Bagnaia must “respect” #1 plate to defend his MotoGP crown in 2023
Bagnaia must “respect” #1 plate to defend his MotoGP crown in 2023 Bagnaia must “respect” #1 plate to defend his MotoGP crown in 2023
Marc Marquez: Honda “not a title contender” on eve of 2023 MotoGP season
Marc Marquez: Honda “not a title contender” on eve of 2023 MotoGP season Marc Marquez: Honda “not a title contender” on eve of 2023 MotoGP season
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes No shame in copying Red Bull F1 car concept says Mercedes
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.