Owen had been part of the organisation since 2007, when the team operated under the Honda banner, and had remained a central figure through its transformation into one of the most successful outfits in Formula 1 history.
Mercedes confirmed that he had chosen to step away from the sport to take a break from Formula 1 after nearly two decades at the highest level.
The team stated that Owen would enter a period of gardening leave once a smooth handover to his successor had been completed. His departure followed his involvement in the early design and development of the W17, Mercedes’ car for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which would run under the sport’s next major technical regulation reset.
Owen’s contribution to Mercedes’ success was substantial. He played a key role during the era in which the team secured nine consecutive Constructors’ Championships and was responsible for overall car design across 17 Formula 1 projects during his career. Few designers have overseen such a long and decorated run at a single team.
Mercedes moved quickly to outline its succession plan, confirming that the role would be filled internally. Current engineering director Giacomo Tortora would step up to become the new director of car design, while deputy technical director Simone Resta would oversee the broader design group. The structure underlined Mercedes’ intention to maintain continuity rather than pursue an external appointment.
The announcement came just days before the team was due to reveal the W17 livery, making Mercedes the fifth team to unveil its new look ahead of the upcoming season. While a familiar figure prepared to step aside, Mercedes made it clear that its long-term technical vision remained firmly in place as it prepared for the challenges of the next regulation era.
