John Owen steps down as Mercedes' lead F1 designer after nearly two decades

Mercedes has confirmed that John Owen, the long-serving lead designer who engineered the Silver Arrows' most successful era, will depart his position as director of car design over the course of the 2026 season. The announcement marks the end of an extraordinary chapter for the Brackley-based team, as the British engineer—who has shaped nearly every championship-winning Mercedes since 2014—takes a well-deserved break from Formula 1's relentless demands.

Owen's decision to resign comes at a critical juncture for Mercedes, as the sport prepares for its next significant regulatory overhaul in 2026. His departure will see the role filled through internal promotion, with Giacomo Tortora, currently the team's engineering director, ascending to the position of director of car design, while Simone Resta, the deputy technical director, will oversee this crucial group.

A legacy written in Silverstone success

The magnitude of Owen's contribution to Mercedes' unprecedented dominance cannot be overstated. Since joining Honda's Brackley operation in 2007 as a principal aerodynamicist, Owen has been instrumental in the team's accumulation of eight constructors' titles between 2014 and 2021 and seven drivers' championships from 2014 to 2020. Over his nineteen years with the organization, he has overseen the design of all 17 Mercedes F1 cars, including the 2026 W17, establishing himself as one of the sport's most influential technical minds.

Owen's engineering pedigree stretches back further than his Mercedes tenure. Having previously worked at Sauber as a senior aerodynamicist, he transitioned to Honda in 2007, where he contributed to the team's competitive efforts. Remarkably, he remained with the organization through its transformation into Brawn GP, the 2009 championship-winning team that produced one of Formula 1's greatest fairy-tale seasons. When Mercedes acquired the Brackley facility, Owen's expertise proved invaluable as he was appointed chief designer in 2010, a position he has held for sixteen years.

One of Owen's most celebrated technical achievements was his integral role in the creation of the Dual-Axis Steering (DAS) system, which provided Mercedes with a significant competitive advantage during its development phase. This innovation exemplified Owen's approach to car design: innovative, meticulous, and always pushing the boundaries of what was technically permissible within the regulations.

Transition and the road ahead

According to Mercedes, Owen made the conscious decision to step back from Formula 1's intensity and will assist with the transition of his successor before commencing his gardening leave period later in 2026. The team's official statement reflected the respect and gratitude held for the departing engineer: "We wish John all the very best for the future and thank him for the considerable role he has played in the team's success."

The internal promotion of Tortora and expansion of Resta's responsibilities represent Mercedes' confidence in developing talent from within—a strategy that has defined much of the team's recent culture. However, replacing someone of Owen's stature and institutional knowledge presents a genuine challenge for the Silver Arrows during a period of significant technical and competitive transition.

The bigger picture

Owen's departure underscores the cyclical nature of Formula 1's technical leadership. As the sport embarks on a new era of power unit partnerships and chassis regulations in 2026, the old guard of designers who built Mercedes' dynasty are gradually making way for a new generation. While Mercedes faces intensifying competition from rivals like Aston Martin and McLaren, the departure of such a central figure raises important questions about whether the team can maintain its innovative edge without Owen's guiding hand.

For Owen, after nearly two decades at the pinnacle of motorsport engineering, the opportunity to step away before the next regulatory cycle represents both a natural conclusion and a chance to reflect on an incomparable career. His legacy will endure through the cars he created and the engineering philosophy he instilled within Mercedes' technical department.