Former Mercedes technical director Elliott joins Alpine as CTO

Alpine has announced the signing of former Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott as the team’s new chief technical officer (CTO).

Elliott previously worked at Renault from 2008 to 2012 as a principal aerodynamicist, but went on to rise through the ranks at Mercedes during one of its most dominant periods, becoming CTO in 2023 in a role swap with James Allison, having previously served as technical director. Elliott then left Mercedes later that same year, but will now return to Enstone as CTO as the team looks to strengthen its technical department. 

Alpine says Elliott “joins the team to lead and oversee the technical and engineering functions at the team's factory”, as he makes his return to Formula 1 for the first time since leaving Mercedes.

“He has a proven track record in the sport, having contributed to an impressive eight constructors' and eight drivers' championships,” an Alpine statement read. “Elliott's arrival at Enstone strengthens the team's technical capabilities as the team looks to build on the improved performances on track and close the gap to the top four teams.”

Elliott was in charge as Mercedes’ technical director when it opted for the ‘zero sidepod' concept at the start of the ground effect era in 2022, with the team struggling to compete for championship during the previous set of regulations and ending the four-year spell with just seven victories in total during that period.

Prior to his first spell with Renault, Elliott work for McLaren for eight years, and now joins an Alpine team that currently sits sixth in the constructors’ championship, nine points behind Racing Bulls in fifth and 162 adrift of fourth-placed Red Bull.