Could Elliott follow Schumacher to Alpine?

At the beginning of November it was announced that Mike Elliott would be leaving the position of chief technical director of the Mercedes team, which was a big surprise to many. Elliott gave many years to the Brackley team and was indeed one of the leading experts in aerodynamics, but Toto Wolff made it clear that he himself decided to change jobs.

In this regard, several versions have been put forward, and one of them was proposed by Frank Montagny, a former driver who has participated in many championships, including Formula 1, and now a pundit on the French TV channel Canal+.

He does not rule out that Elliott could take up some position at Alpine, the motorsport division of the Renault group, in the future, and links this to the difficult situation in which Mick Schumacher now finds himself.

“We know that Toto Wolff really wants to help Schumacher get behind the wheel,” Montagny reasoned. “We also know that Mick can theoretically compete for Alpine in endurance racing, and this team is now putting together its squad.

I have a feeling there will be a small deal between these two teams, between Mercedes and Alpine. I daresay Elliott will move to Alpine together with Schumacher.”

At the same time, Montagny himself admitted that even if he were willing to bet on such a development of events, he would risk only a small amount, i.e. He did not give real arguments in defense of his version.

But three weeks ago, at the invitation of Alpine, Mick actually piloted the latest A424 hypercar during tests in Jerez, with which the Renault factory team should make its debut in the WEC next year in the LMh/LMDh class.

On the one hand, Mercedes is ready to continue the collaboration with Mick, who now serves as reserve driver, on the other hand, Wolff treats the son of the seven-time world champion very well and wants him to have a place in a good team, even if it is not in Formula 1.

“We are going to analyze everything in detail again and hope that we can find some options,” said the head of the Mercedes team during the race weekend in Austin, meaning that Schumacher will remain a reserve driver if this can be combined with performance for Alpine in endurance racing.

To what extent Montagna’s assumptions will be confirmed, we will find out soon enough. Alpine is preparing for the official homologation procedure for the A424 sports prototype and the WEC season starts on March 2 in Qatar. However, the so-called ‘prologue’ takes place there a week before, prior to the start of the season.