26. Mike Elliott

Mike Elliott is the Technology Director of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. After achieving a Master of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering followed by a PhD in Aerodynamics from Imperial College London, Mike embarked upon what would quickly become a steep rise through the ranks of Formula One aerodynamicists – achieving significant success along the way.

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Mike Elliott was promoted to the role of Technical Director of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. After beginning his career at McLaren in 2000, and a subsequent stint at the Renault F1 Team, Mike joined Mercedes in 2012 as Head of Aerodynamics and was central to developing the sport’s leading aerodynamics group in the subsequent years. Since 2017, he has been the team’s Technology Director and has played a key role in developing the team’s performance capability as part of the senior technical leadership.

But, why did he want to work on F1? It’s a rather interesting story… “The guy I shared an office with during my PhD convinced me it would be an interesting career to pursue,” he explains. “Ironically, he is our Chief Designer now and we sit two desks apart!”

While primarily focused on aerodynamics, Mike has also spent three years on the race team and two years working on the effect of aerodynamics on vehicle handling, giving him a rounded understanding of car performance.

20 years into a Grand Prix career which has spanned three front running teams (McLaren, Renault and Mercedes), Mike Elliott has thus far achieved six Constructors’ Championship titles and a further eight top-three finishes.

When asked what his favourite memory with Mercedes has been so far, he replied: “Collecting the Constructors’ trophy on behalf of the team. It is a humbling and emotional experience to collect a prize that so many people have sweated blood and tears to achieve.”