James Allison
Allison in 2018
Born (1968-02-21) 21 February 1968
Louth, Lincolnshire, England[1]
NationalityUnited Kingdom British
EducationAerospace engineer
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge
Occupation(s)Formula One Chief Technical Officer, Engineer, Aerodynamicist
Years active1991–present
EmployerMercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
Known forFormula One aerodynamicist
PredecessorPaddy Lowe
Spouse
Rebecca
​
​
(m. 1992; died 2016)​
Children3

James Allison (born 21 February 1968)[2] is a British motorsport designer and engineer, best known for his accomplishments in Formula 1, where he is the technical director of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

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 became 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 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]

In April 2021, Allison became Chief Technical Officer at Mercedes-AMG.[9] He also became the Chief Technical Officer at Ineos Team UK Britannia's America's Cup team. This role positioned Allison as technical lead of Ben Ainslie's campaign for the 37th America's Cup, with Mercedes-AMG F1 Applied Science partnering with their existing sailing and design teams, which include Ainslie, Giles Scott, and prominent naval architect and yacht designer Martin Fischer.[10] On 21 April 2023, Allison returned to his previous position as Technical Director of Mercedes-AMG F1, swapping jobs with Mike Elliott, who had taken his place earlier.[11]

Formula One Championships

Allison-designed cars have won the following Formula One World Constructors' Championships and World Drivers' Championships:

No. Season Constructors' Champion Drivers' Champion Car Engine
1 2000 Ferrari Michael Schumacher F1-2000 Ferrari
2 2001 Ferrari Michael Schumacher F2001
3 2002 Ferrari Michael Schumacher F2002
4 2003 Ferrari Michael Schumacher F2003-GA
5 2004 Ferrari Michael Schumacher Ferrari F2004
6 2005 Renault Fernando Alonso R25 Renault
7 2006 Renault Fernando Alonso R26
8 2018 Mercedes Lewis Hamilton W09 Mercedes
9 2019 Mercedes Lewis Hamilton W10
10 2020 Mercedes Lewis Hamilton W11
11 2021 Mercedes — W12

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "James Allison". Mercedes AMG. Mercedes-Benz. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  2. 1 2 Hughes, Mark (16 February 2017). "How Allison differs from Lowe". Motor Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  3. 1 2 "People: James Allison". GrandPrix.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 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. Archived from the original on 29 June 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".
  9. ↑ "Mercedes announce new Technical Director as James Allison steps back from day-to-day role". www.formula1.com. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  10. ↑ "INEOS Britannia launch world-class team to challenge for 37th America's Cup". www.ineosbritannia.com. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  11. ↑ "Mercedes confirm leadership reshuffle as James Allison returns to Technical Director role". Formula 1. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
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