Formula Student
We are delighted to confirm that James Allison, Technical Director of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, will be joining us onsite at Silverstone for 2017.
A long time ambassador of Formula Student, James is keen to remind all teams past and present of the value of participating in the competition, saying:
“Whether or not you want to work in motor racing, if you want to be an engineer, there is no better thing you can do while at university than get involved in Formula Student.”
He is excited to visit the garages during Formula Student and to check out the teams and their cars. This is an invaluable opportunity for young engineers to chat with a legendary motorsport engineer and get advice on their car and careers, so keep an eye out for him when you're on site.
We are grateful for James' continued support of Formula Student and wish Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport the best in the ongoing Formula OneTMcompetition!
About James Allison
James’ motorsport career started in 1990, when he joined the Benetton F1 Team as a Junior Aerodynamic Designer immediately after graduating from the University of Cambridge.
Just two years later, James was appointed Head of Aerodynamics for the small Larrouse F1 squad. Sadly, the cash-strapped team struggled for results and it wasn’t long before James was back at Benetton as an Aerodynamic Designer.
Success soon followed, as James celebrated Michael Schumacher’s World Drivers’ Championship success in 1994, with Schumacher and Benetton claiming the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles the following year.
James was promoted to Head of Aerodynamics in 1997 and, just two years later, swapped Enstone for Maranello and the new role of Trackside Aerodynamicist with Scuderia Ferrari, playing an important role in a period of unprecedented spell of success, as the team won six World Constructors’ Championships between 1999 and 2004.
After six years in Italy, James returned to the United Kingdom and a familiar home at Enstone, now under the Renault name, taking on the role of Deputy Technical Director. With young Spaniard Fernando Alonso at the wheel, Renault were the team to beat – taking top honours in the Constructors’ Championship in 2005 and 2006.
James was promoted to Technical Director in 2009 and remained with the team as it transitioned to new ownership and the new name of Lotus F1 Team, fighting back to the top step of the podium in 2012 with Kimi Räikkonen scoring the team’s first win in four years in Abu Dhabi.
2013 saw James head back to Ferrari, this time as Technical Director. After a fruitless year for the team in 2014, James’ influence was crucial as Sebastian Vettel claimed three wins the following year, when the Scuderia emerged as the closest challenger to the title-winning Silver Arrows.
James departed Ferrari midway through the 2016 season and returns to the Formula One grid this year, joining Mercedes AMG-Petronas Motorsport as Technical Director.