Bob Bell, the former technical director of the Renault F1 team, has been appointed to the same role at Mercedes, where he will report to team principal Ross Brawn.
The role, which begins on 1st April 2011, will primarily be based at the team’s factory in Brackely with overall responsibility for the technical operations of the chassis group, allowing Brawn greater freedom to oversee the full programme between them and the engine group in Brixworth.
Bell began his career in motorsport as an aerodynamicist nearly 30 years ago and worked at McLaren, Benetton and Jordan before becoming Deputy Technical Director at Renault in 2001. He was promoted to Technical Director in 2003 and played an important role in Fernando Alonso‘s championship victories in 2005 and 2006. He became Acting Team Principal in September 2009 after the ‘crash-gate’ revelations and Managing Director in 2010 before leaving in October.
“I am both delighted and honored to be joining [Mercedes] as Technical Director,” said Bell. “It will be a privilege to be a part of such a strong and determined organisation, and to be able to contribute to furthering the enviable heritage of Mercedes-Benz in motorsport.”
Brawn also welcomed his new colleague to the team. “We are delighted to welcome Bob to [Mercedes] in the position of Technical Director,” he said. “Bob’s appointment is a key step in the strengthening of our excellent technical team and we are pleased to have recruited one of the most experienced engineers in the sport.
“Bob will be an important asset to our team, bringing with him a wealth of Formula One knowledge and championship-winning experience, and we look forward to welcoming him at the start of April.”