James Allison (motorsport)

James Allison (born 22 February 1968)[2] is an English motorsport designer and engineer, best known for his accomplishments in Formula 1, where he is the current technical director of Mercedes-AMG.

James Allison
Allison in 2018
Born (1968-02-22) 22 February 1968
Louth, Lincolnshire, England[1]
Nationality British
CitizenshipBritish
EducationAerospace engineer
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge
OccupationFormula One Technical Director
Years active1991–present
EmployerMercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport
Known forF1 car designer
TitleChief Technical Director
PredecessorPaddy Lowe
Spouse(s)Rebecca [d.21.03.2016] m1992-2016
Children3

Early life

Born in Louth, Lincolnshire,[2] the son of former Royal Air Force officer, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison, James was educated at Abingdon School and Cambridge.[3]

Career

Benetton, Larrousse, and Ferrari: 1991–2005

After graduating from Cambridge in 1991, Allison joined the aerodynamics department of the Benetton Formula One team.[4] After a couple of years at Benetton he moved to Larrousse as head of aerodynamics[4] before returning to Benetton as head of aerodynamics in the mid-1990s.[4] In 2000, he moved to Ferrari for five years.

Renault/Lotus: 2005–2013

Allison returned to Benetton (by then known as Renault F1) in the role of deputy technical director in 2005.[3] In 2009 Allison moved to the role of technical director.[4] In 2011, Renault F1 became Lotus Renault GP before becoming Lotus F1 in 2012.

Return to Ferrari: 2013–2016
Allison (left) with Pat Fry in 2014

On 8 May 2013, Allison quit as Lotus F1 Team technical director to be replaced by Nick Chester.[5] On 29 July 2013 Allison rejoined Ferrari as chassis technical director and then technical director until July 2016.[1] [6] On 27 July 2016 Allison quit as Scuderia Ferrari technical director following the death of his wife.[7]

Mercedes AMG: 2017–present

On 16 February 2017 Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport announced that Allison is to join the team in the newly created role of technical director, following the departure of Paddy Lowe to Williams Grand Prix Engineering. [8]

See also

References
  1. "Scuderia > James Allison". Scuderia Ferrari. Ferrari S.p.A. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  2. Hughes, Mark (16 February 2017). "How Allison differs from Lowe". Motor Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  3. "People: James Allison". GrandPrix.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  4. "Lotus F1 Team::James Allison". Lotus F1 Team. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  5. "Allison quits Lotus". EatSleepSport. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  6. "Ferrari: James Allison leaves role as technical director". BBC Sport.
  7. "James Allison leaves Ferrari". Sky Sports.
  8. "Allison to join Mercedes as technical chief".
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