Andrew Benson backs Mercedes to stand by James Allison despite early season struggles

Mercedes' underwhelming start to the 2024 Formula One season has raised eyebrows across the paddock, but BBC journalist Andrew Benson believes James Allison's position as technical director remains unthreatened. 

Mercedes' dominance in recent years has been largely attributed to Allison's technical leadership. Often regarded as one of the most respected technical minds in F1, Allison's return to the helm signified a clear message. That of the team being serious about addressing its performance issues.

"Some people would think they'd lost their marbles if they got rid of Allison"

According to Benson, Mercedes' struggles are owing to their faulty car designs and not Allison's job. He acknowledged that his vast experience and proven track record are crucial for Mercedes' resurgence.

"The issue isn’t a management issue, it’s a technical understanding issue. He’s not designing the car, the issue is the car design. Now, so that then passes the question onto the technical department, are they going to make changes there? Maybe, but are they likely to replace James Allison as technical director? I’d be absolutely dumbstruck if they did. James Allison is incredibly highly regarded; most people would regard him as the second-best technical leader in Formula 1 behind Adrian Newey. I think most people would think they’d lost their marbles if they got rid of Allison," he said.

However, turning things around won't be a quick fix. F1 car development is an intricate process requiring meticulous planning and execution. While Allison's presence might help, it will likely take time for the effects of his leadership to translate into on-track performance. Mercedes needs to analyze their current shortcomings, develop solutions, and implement them effectively in future car iterations. However, despite the early setbacks, Mercedes remains a formidable team with immense resources and a talented pool of engineers. 

In conclusion, James Allison's job as technical director at Mercedes appears secure if we go by what Benson has said. The team's struggles serve as a wake-up call, and Allison's role will be crucial if he is retained. While the immediate future might not be rosy, Mercedes' long-term prospects could be promising with Allison at the helm.