In January 2026, Mercedes Formula One team announced the departure of their Director of Car Design, John Owen. Having been an integral part of the team for 19 years, Owen has played a crucial role in the success of nine Constructors' Championships and eight Drivers' titles. He joined the team in 2007 when they were known as Honda, later contributing to their victories as Brawn and Mercedes. His decision to leave comes just six weeks before the start of the 2026 season, raising concerns about the potential impact on the team's car design efforts. The new W17 vehicle design is already underway, with the team preparing for testing ahead of the season-opener in Australia on March 8th. Following Owen's departure announcement, Mercedes confirmed that the transition would be managed internally, with engineering director Giacomo Tortora slated to take over as the new Director of Car Design. Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta, who previously worked at Ferrari, will oversee the design group. This internal promotion aims to ensure continuity and stability within the team as they adapt to changing leadership and focus on the final adjustments to the 2026 car design. Despite his upcoming departure, Owen will be integral in ensuring the transition to his successor is seamless. His extensive experience has significantly influenced each Mercedes F1 car's design, apart from the W196 model from 1954. The announcement of his exit signals a pivotal moment for the team, as they must now prepare to face the coming competitive season without one of their key contributors. As the 2026 season approaches, anticipation builds for the unveiling of the W17 car, with Mercedes set to reveal design details soon. Their official launch, featuring drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, will take place on February 2nd, aligning with the testing schedule where all F1 teams will participate in a private session in Barcelona next week. The departure of John Owen, however, may leave a void that could influence Mercedes’ performance and strategy moving forward.