Mercedes reshuffling their technical team has been a big step in the right direction for the struggling champions. James Allison has been a major driving force for the team during their most dominant era. His genius has been considered the only answer to the challenge posed by Adrian Newey and the Red Bull team.
However, there was a reason the Mercedes man stepped down from his role as Technical Director in 2021. Less than two years out of the chair, he makes his return to bring back the Silver Arrows to what they once were. But what changed his mind?
In conversation with Tom Clarkson in the F1 Nation podcast, Allison narrated a rather painful romantic story, owing to which he has found his way back to the dynasty of the Silver Arrows.
James Allison opens up on Mercedes TD return
Remembering his deceased wife, Rebecca, Allison stated that his life had taken a ghastly turn. “The very very long and tragic shadow cast by my wife dying” was turned around by his current partner, Chloe.
Allison had tragically lost his wife to meningitis back in his days with Ferrari. The demands of the sport saw Allison in Australia, while his ailing wife was back home in Britain. Thus, being lucky enough to find someone important for the second time in his life, he wouldn’t repeat his past. This led Allison to step down to the less demanding role of CTO.
Deepest Sympathy to James Allison on the sad passing of Rebecca his wife . Only days after the Australian GP. pic.twitter.com/259GZpEM2y
— #Gridgirl85F1 (@gridgirl85) March 22, 2016
Now, Allison explained his switch back. Having met Chloe in France, she had her life set there for 20 years.“When she kindly and foolishly cast her lot with me, so that we could live together. She was giving up an awful lot. It seemed a little unfair from my point of view to cast her adrift and say ‘thanks for coming to England. I’ll see you five minutes a week.'”
I wanted to remember that James Allison is the man who worked with Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton and he gave these three a competitive car to become world champion. pic.twitter.com/ElRV4OAp0E
— Out Of Boat James Allison (@jameallisonboat) April 24, 2023
Thus stepping back from the frontline gave him the time he needed. And over the last two years, Allison stated that this time allowed their relationship “to flourish in a way that would have been tough otherwise.”
Now, Chloe has found her roots in England, doing her own thing that doesn’t depend on Allison. “So, it’s much more believable, much more possible now to do this than it would’ve been two and a bit years ago.”
Thus, after sorting out the turmoil of his life and overcoming the loss of his wife, Allison chose to invest in his new relationship; something rare in the hectic world of F1. Many stories have been told by drivers, engineers, and even the crew of how difficult it is to have a personal life while participating in the circus of F1.
Now, with Allison focused and ready to take back his throne, Mercedes can take full advantage of the brain behind their historic success.
