Mercedes has confirmed that John Owen, its long-serving lead car designer, will step down during the 2026 Formula 1 season. Owen has been a central figure in the team's recent technical direction and played a key role in designing championship-contending machines.

Owen's departure marks a major shift for the Silver Arrows as they face increasing technical challenges under new regulations. His exit follows a period of mixed results for Mercedes on the track, with the team working to regain its former dominance after years of success with Lewis Hamilton and earlier car iterations.

The team stated Owen plans to take a break from F1 and will aid in transitioning his successor. Fans are watching closely to see how this change impacts the team's 2026 campaign and whether Mercedes can stabilize its performance amid ongoing grid-wide competition and regulatory shifts.