By Chalien Dantes

Mercedes Formula 1 is preparing for a major change as chief designer John Owen announces he will leave the team later this year.

Owen, 52, has been a fixture at the Silver Arrows since 2007, back when the squad raced as Honda. He played a pivotal role in the team’s success, from the Brawn GP championship triumph in 2009 to Mercedes’ dominant era from 2014 to 2021, which brought seven drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ crowns.

The team confirmed Owen will depart after overseeing a smooth handover to his successor, followed by a period of gardening leave. Details of his next venture remain under wraps.

Giacomo Tortora, Mercedes’ engineering director, will take over as director of car design under the supervision of Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta.

Before joining Honda, Owen built his reputation at Sauber as senior aerodynamicist in 2004 and began his motorsport career at the now-defunct Reynard racing team. His departure will be the end of an era for a designer who helped shape one of F1’s most successful periods.