Alpine has confirmed the appointment of Mike Elliott as its new Chief Technical Officer, effective immediately. The announcement was made on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Elliott, 52, returns to the Enstone-based outfit, where he previously served as Principal Aerodynamicist for Renault from 2008 to 2012.
Elliott’s new role involves leading and overseeing all technical and engineering functions at Alpine’s factory in Enstone. This position is newly created within the team’s technical structure.
Before joining Alpine, Elliott spent over a decade with Mercedes, departing the team in October 2023. His tenure at Mercedes included significant roles such as Head of Aerodynamics, Technology Director, and Technical Director.
In early 2023, Elliott swapped roles with James Allison at Mercedes, moving to Chief Technical Officer while Allison returned to the Technical Director position.
During his 11-year period with Mercedes, Elliott contributed to eight Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships. His career in Formula 1 spans 23 years, including time at McLaren before his initial stint at Enstone.
Alpine’s objective with Elliott’s arrival is to strengthen its technical capabilities. The team aims to build on its current performances and reduce the gap to the top four teams in Formula 1, which include Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.
The team is currently sixth in the Constructors’ Championship with 68 points after 16 races in the 2026 season. Alpine is nine points behind Racing Bulls, who hold fifth position.
For the 2026 season, Alpine transitioned to Mercedes-AMG power units, marking a significant technical shift. The A526 car, driven by Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, features new aerodynamic regulations including active front and rear wings.
Executive Technical Director David Sanchez, who detailed the A526’s design earlier this year, is now understood to be reporting directly to Elliott.
