Amid technical rumours, Mercedes are tipped as favourites – Heading into the new Formula 1 season, Mercedes is widely regarded as the team to beat. Despite not having turned a wheel yet, the German manufacturer is already the subject of intense paddock speculation. Rivals believe that Mercedes has produced an especially powerful engine for the year ahead, fuelling expectations that the team could get off to a flying start.
Mercedes ‘aggressive’ engine design
Alongside talk of outright performance, there are also rumours of a controversial technical approach. It is claimed that Mercedes may be exploiting aggressive compression ratios within its engine concept to unlock additional horsepower. According to reports, this has not gone unnoticed elsewhere in the paddock, with other manufacturers said to have raised concerns with the FIA. As yet, there has been no public response from Mercedes or the governing body.
For now, Mercedes appears keen to keep the focus firmly on the season ahead. The team is expected to release the first renders of its new car later this week, before George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli take to the track during the Barcelona test next week. However, just days before this important milestone, news has emerged of a significant change behind the scenes.
MORE F1 NEWS – Ferrari bombshell over Hamilton’s ‘inner circle’
Key figure steps away ahead of new campaign
According to The Race, Mercedes is preparing to part ways with a key technical figure before the season gets fully underway. Director of Car Design John Owen has reportedly decided to step back from his role, marking the end of a long and influential chapter with the team.
While Owen may not be a household name to fans, his impact within Mercedes has been substantial. He has played a central role in the design process and been deeply involved in the development of the cars that powered the team to multiple world championships, largely operating out of the spotlight.
The timing of the announcement is notable. With a new technical cycle underway and high expectations that Mercedes could return to the top of the sport, any senior-level change inevitably attracts attention. Nevertheless, the team appears to have planned carefully to ensure continuity.
MORE F1 NEWS – As Verstappen’s Red Bull team unveils its new car, Marko reveals: “From what I hear…”
Owen’s journey through Formula 1
John Owen’s Formula 1 career spans nearly two decades. He began at Sauber before moving to Honda in 2007. This team went on to become Brawn GP, famously winning both championships in 2009 before transforming into the Mercedes factory outfit in 2010.
Throughout these changes, Owen remained a key technical presence. His experience of working with different team structures and in different regulatory eras proved invaluable as Mercedes established one of the most dominant dynasties in the history of Formula 1. In 2023, Owen was promoted to Director of Car Design, enabling him to focus entirely on the car’s conceptual and detailed design.
In this position, he collaborated closely with senior technical figures such as James Allison and Simone Resta to help shape Mercedes’ overall technical direction during a challenging but transitional period for the team.
MORE F1 NEWS – Hamilton retirement twist opens door for sacked driver lightning-fast return
What happens next for Mercedes?
According to The Race, Owen has chosen this moment to take a break from the relentless demands of Formula 1. Rather than an abrupt exit, the transition is expected to be gradual. He will reportedly remain in his role until the middle of the season to help ensure stability and a smooth handover.
His successor is set to be engineering director Giacomo Tortora, who has already collaborated closely with Owen and is familiar with the team’s technical structure. This internal promotion suggests that Mercedes is aiming for continuity rather than a radical shift in philosophy.
Once the handover period is complete, Owen is expected to enter gardening leave while deciding on his long-term future. The challenge for Mercedes will be to maintain momentum both on and off the track while balancing lofty expectations with subtle but significant changes behind the scenes.
MORE F1 NEWS – Sudden F1 Exit as Aston Martin criticism resurfaces
NEXT ARTICLE – Max Verstappen responds to furious F1 fans: “I haven’t changed; my role has”
Between early 2022 and mid-2024, Max Verstappen produced one of the most dominant performances in the history of Formula 1. During this time, the Red Bull driver won an impressive 41 out of 54 races, achieving a win rate of 75.9%.
These results led to four consecutive world championships and firmly established Verstappen as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Yet for all his success, universal admiration never followed.
Dominance breeds contempt
At several circuits around the world, he was booed, sometimes loudly and in large numbers. This reaction seemed paradoxical when viewed against the statistics. Only five drivers in Formula 1 history have won four consecutive world titles. Even Michael Schumacher, the benchmark with five consecutive championships between 2000 and 2004, did not match Verstappen’s winning percentage during his most dominant years.
However, Formula 1 is not usually a sport where success alone guarantees popularity. Dominance often breeds resistance, especially in a championship built on tension, rivalry and uncertainty. Verstappen came to symbolise an era that many fans found predictable: Red Bull was almost untouchable, races were frequently decided early on, and the driver operated on the edge of the regulations while rarely being penalised. For some, this made him the perfect antagonist.
However, that image began to change in the second half of 2024. McLaren emerged as the new benchmark, a trend that became even clearer in 2025. For the first time in years, Verstappen found himself consistently playing catch-up rather than controlling the field. At one point mid-season, he trailed the championship leader by 104 points, an unthinkable margin during Red Bull’s peak dominance.
Further, Red Bull Racing made a strategic choice. While several rivals shifted their attention early to the major regulation changes coming in 2026, Red Bull continued to develop its 2025 car. This decision slowly but surely paid off, enabling Verstappen to close the gap race by race…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
Clara’s work brings depth and perspective to the sport, complementing news and analysis with stories that highlight the people behind the machinery.
Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
