Mercedes Formula 1 is beginning a reshuffle of its aerodynamics department, as its chief aerodynamicist, Gioacchino Vino, is on the verge of leaving the team.
Vino is departing after six years at Brackley and worked his way up from being a principal aerodynamicist. It’s believed he was removed rather than him deciding to go.
Ferrari’s former Chief Designer, Simone Resta, has been signed and is now available to join the team earlier than expected in October.
The Italian will embark on his role as a Strategic Development Director and will be joined by Enrico Sampo, who will be the Head of Performance Software Applications.
Mercedes duo Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio are heading the other way to Ferrari in a contra arrangement between the two teams, allowing them to start on the same day.
Mercedes technical director James Allison isn’t overly concerned about losing two key members of its team midway through the season.
“I think it’s more in the normal ebb and flow of an F1 team,” he said in the press conference. “The teams are big these days. And in any given year you are shipping out a whole bunch of people and shipping in a matching number. That will be true in nearly every team.”
Allison played down the impact of a quick, major change: “I don’t think there’s any point in me offering a commentary on motivation.
“Clearly, a team needs to have a critical mass of experienced and good people. And we would not wish to see experienced good people leave us.
“But we also are gathering experienced and good people at a similar rate. So I guess it’s our job to try and make sure we act in such a way as everybody would rather be with us than anywhere else.”
Mercedes has yet to deliver a podium finish during the opening six rounds of the season and has performed below its lofty standards.
This weekend’s venue at Imola is a source of great memories for the team, clinching the Constructors’ Championship in 2020.
