John Owen is set to leave his role as Mercedes chief designer in 2026, after 21 with the team from its days as Honda, Afrosport reports.
The 52-year-old’s F1 career started with Reynard before moving in 2004 to Sauber where he became a senior aerodynamicist.
He moved to BAR Honda in 2017 with the team morphing into the championship-winning Brawn GP in 2009, followed by Mercedes in 2010 with seven drivers’ and eight constructors’ championships secured between 2014 and 2021.
Mercedes in a statement said Owen would depart the team after the transition to his successor, and will have a period of gardening leave afterwards.
Giacomo Tortora will be promoted from engineering director to director of car design under the supervision of deputy technical director Simone Resta.
Mercedes finished second in the constructors’ championship last season, 364 points behind McLaren.
It was the fourth consecutive year they failed to win the constructors’ title but will be hopeful for a reversal of fortunes with new technical regulations in place for the upcoming 2026 season.
