Lewis Hamilton heaped praise and appreciation on Mike Elliot, whose departure as Mercedes' chief technical officer was announced on Tuesday, the seven-time World Champion stating that his contribution to the 15 Formula 1 world titles would not be forgotten.
Hamilton recalled: "I met Mike when I was at McLaren and we worked together a long time. I’ve always had such a great relationship with Mike and really admire him. He’s such a bright guy.
"We’ve had such great conversations, I’ve learnt so much from him about aerodynamics for example," recalled Hamilton, who won his seven of his F1 Championships with Elliot in the Mercedes and McLaren trenches
"He’s been an integral part of my team. His contract was coming to an end and he’s taken the decision to move on. You have to try not to look at it negatively, you have to want to wish the best for people. I hope that we will continue to have the relationship that we always have.
"You can’t throw away all those great years together. I’m massively appreciative to him because he’s been a part of the success that we’ve had over these years," said Hamiton, who has not won a Grand Prix since his 103rd triumph in F1, when he won the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Elliot made a substantial contribution to Mercedes huge success from 2012 to 2023
The Mercedes website published a tribute to Elliot: "Since joining McLaren as an aerodynamicist in 2000, Mike has worked continuously in front-line roles in the sport for 23 seasons.
"As first Head of Aerodynamics, then Technology Director and latterly as Technical Director, Mike made a substantial contribution to the team’s race- and championship-winning success from 2012 to 2023."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff adds: “Mike has been one of the pillars of the team’s achievements over the past decade and it’s with truly mixed feelings that we say goodbye to him today. Mike is a fiercely intelligent technical brain and a great team player.
"He has made a strong contribution not just to winning racing cars but also to building the culture of our team. But on the other side, it’s clear that he’s ready for new adventures beyond Mercedes – so I know this is the right step for him to take, too.
"He leaves the team with our thanks for the effort, commitment, and expertise he has brought to the team over the past 11 years – and our very best wishes for the future.”
Elliot: A great privilege of my career to be part of this Mercedes team
Earlier this year, Elliot moved into the role of Chief Technical Officer to Brackley, focusing on developing a technical strategy to renew the team’s technical capability for the years ahead.
Elliot said on the occasion: “It has been one of the great privileges of my career to be part of this Mercedes team. During my time, I have seen it grow from a group of people pulling together to win races, then a first championship, to winning a record eight consecutive Constructors Championships. And I am proud to have made my contribution to that journey.
“Although the last two seasons have not seen us winning races in the manner we aspire to, they have tested us in many other ways – and forced us to question our fundamental assumptions about how we deliver performance. During the past six months, I have enjoyed developing the technical strategy that we hope can provide the foundations of the team’s next cycle of success.
“I have decided that now is the right time to make my next step beyond Mercedes – first to pause and take stock, after 23 years of working flat-out in this sport, and then to find my next challenge. I would like to thank my teammates for a fantastic 12 seasons together and wish them every success for the years to come," concluded Elliot.
(Writing by Alan Baldwin; Additional Reporting GRANDPRIX247)
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