FEBRUARY 18, 2011

Bob Bell joins Mercedes GP

Mercedes GP has announced that Bob Bell will join the team as technical director, starting on April 1st.

The former Renault F1 chief will head up the chassis group at the team's headquarters in Brackley, and will report directly to Ross Brawn.

Bell joined McLaren in 1982, after getting a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from Queens University in Belfast, working with John Barnard. In 1989 he became head of research and development. In 1995 he lead McLaren's land speed record project, the Maverick, but when this was cancelled he moved to Benetton as chief aerodynamicist in 1997 and 1998 before switching to head of R&D at Jordan in 1999, working with Mike Gascoyne. In 2001, Bell joined Renault F1 as Gascoyne's deputy technical director, and took the role of technical director in 2003 when Gascoyne left for Toyota. In September 2009 Bell became acting Team Principal, when Flavio Briatore was forced out after the Singapore GP cheating scandal, and was managing director in 2010, before leaving the team this past October.

Bob Bell said, "I am both delighted and honored to be joining the Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team as Technical Director. It will be a privilege to be a part of such a strong and determined organisation, and to be able to contribute to furthering the enviable heritage of Mercedes-Benz in motorsport."

Team principal Ross Brawn said, "We are delighted to welcome Bob to the Mercedes GP Petronas team in the position of Technical Director. Bob's appointment is a key step in the strengthening of our excellent technical team and we are pleased to have recruited one of the most experienced engineers in the sport. Bob will be an important asset to our team, bringing with him a wealth of Formula One knowledge and championship-winning experience, and we look forward to welcoming him at the start of April."

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport's Norbert Haug said, "Mercedes-Benz is fully committed to providing our Formula One team with the personnel and resources to compete at the forefront of the sport. Bob's track record speaks for itself and I know he will be a valuable addition to our team as Technical Director. He shares our passion for competition and our vision for establishing long-term success with Mercedes GP Petronas."