A blow for Mercedes: Key engineer Dan Milner departs – Mercedes has suffered a significant setback with the announcement of the departure of one of its most experienced engineers, Dan Milner. Milner, a key figure behind the scenes at the German outfit, revealed the news on LinkedIn, prompting speculation about the future of the team’s technical operations. Milner’s next career move remains unclear at this stage.
Aiming for a comeback
Mercedes is entering the 2026 Formula 1 season with high ambitions. After losing ground to rivals such as McLaren and Red Bull Racing in recent years, the team is eager to capitalise on the new engine and aerodynamic regulations introduced this year.
In recent weeks, there has been intense speculation surrounding a controversial Mercedes engine trick, which insiders suggest could give the team a competitive edge. Rumours suggest that the team could be manipulating compression ratios, raising concerns that Mercedes could dominate the field once again.
The last time significant engine regulations were introduced, in 2014, Mercedes set a new standard in Formula 1, leaving competitors struggling to catch up.
Who’s leaving?
Dan Milner’s departure is particularly notable, given his integral role in the team’s engineering success. Based at Mercedes’ Brackley engine facility, Milner has enjoyed an impressive career trajectory within the team.
He began as Lead Powertrain Engineer, progressed to Head of Powertrain Integration and Transmission Design, and most recently served as Chief Engineer of the Research & Development department. For over a decade, his contributions have helped to shape Mercedes’ dominant power unit programme and maintain the team’s competitive edge in Formula 1.
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Milner’s Message
In his LinkedIn announcement, Milner confirmed that he had started a period of “gardening leave” after fourteen years with Mercedes. He hinted at an exciting new chapter: “I will be starting a new role later this year, and I look forward to sharing more about that in the coming months!”
While he did not specify whether he would remain in Formula 1, Milner expressed his gratitude to his colleagues at Mercedes: “I’d like to sincerely thank the brilliant people I’ve worked with every day. I’ve learned a lot from them. It’s been a fantastic adventure.”
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What this means for Mercedes
Milner’s departure leaves a void in Mercedes’ engineering hierarchy at a pivotal moment. With new regulations shaking up the sport, every technical advantage counts. Whether the team can maintain any competitive edge it could have at the start of the 2026 season, without one of its key architects, remains to be seen.
As Formula 1 enters a new era of engine and aerodynamic rules, the German team will need to rely on its talent pool to remain at the forefront.
For now, the motorsport world is watching closely, anticipating both Milner’s next move and how Mercedes will perform as the season unfolds.
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NEXT ARTICLE – McLaren’s controversial “papaya rules” about to change after a title-winning season & growing backlash from drivers and pundits
McLaren’s divisive ‘papaya rules’ to change? – The McLaren team’s comeback has been a remarkable Formula One tale. Having ditched Ron Dennis, the legendary team owner and principal in 2017 McLaren’s fortunes have been on the rise.
Dennis was obsessed with being a works based team with an engine supplier solely dedicated to the McLaren cause. And with long term partner Mercedes deciding to adventure once again into owing a team in 2010, this left McLaren on the back foot.
To be fair to Dennis when the new V6 hybrid era began in 2014, the power unit manufacturers who owned teams were allowed preferential treatment under the FIA’s rules. This meant their team would get any PU upgrades first, with customers having to wait until the factory could build enough.
Papaya rules dominate 2025 headlines
All this has now changed since Mercedes’ dominant era and F1 customer teams now must be given the same specification of powertrains that the manufacturers run in their own car. But for McLaren, Dennis’ adventure with Honda was a disaster and saw the team finish a lowly 9th in the constructors’ championship in 2017.
Zak Brown was subsequently appointed CEO of McLaren Racing and their fortunes have been on the up ever since. They are the first ‘customer team’ to win the constructors’ title since Brawn GP in 2009 and for two seasons now have dominated their PU supplier Mercedes.
Yet despite their second team title and Lando Norris maiden F1 championship, McLaren are a team under scrutiny. Much of which comes from their decision to make public their rules of combat between the drivers. ‘Papaya rules’ often dominated the headlines in 2025, with Oscar Piastri finally admitting the team orders in Monza affected his mentality and ultimately his title chance.
The papaya rules are McLaren’s rule book for their drivers which state the team comes ahead of any individual glory, emphasising no contact should be made and the drivers must respect whatever…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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