Owen to leave role as Mercedes chief designer

John Owen, the team’s chief designer, will depart later this year.

The 52-year-old has been a key player in championship victories won under the names Brawn in 2009 and Mercedes since 2010 and has been a key member of the team since 2007.

The Brawn-led team won the drivers’ and constructors’ championships from 2014 to 2015, followed by seven drivers’ and eight constructors’ championships for Mercedes.

Owen would “assure the transition to his successor,” according to a Mercedes statement, and then take a few days of gardening leave.

No details were provided regarding his potential next career move.

The team announced that deputy technical director Simone Resta will lead the department’s transition to director of car design.