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 | Louth, Lincolnshire, England[1] | 22 February 1968
Nationality | |
Citizenship | British |
Education | Aerospace engineer |
Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
Occupation | Formula One Technical Director |
Years active | 1991–present |
Employer | Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport |
Known for | F1 car designer |
Title | Chief Technical Director |
Predecessor | Paddy Lowe |
Spouse(s) | Rebecca
( m. 1992; died 2016) |
Children | 3 |
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
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 was 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
- "Scuderia > James Allison". Scuderia Ferrari. Ferrari S.p.A. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- Hughes, Mark (16 February 2017). "How Allison differs from Lowe". Motor Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- "People: James Allison". GrandPrix.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- "Lotus F1 Team::James Allison". Lotus F1 Team. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- "Allison quits Lotus". EatSleepSport. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- "Ferrari: James Allison leaves role as technical director". BBC Sport.
- "James Allison leaves Ferrari". Sky Sports.
- "Allison to join Mercedes as technical chief".