Bottas’ F1 race engineer to join Mercedes FE programme

Valtteri Bottas’ race engineer will leave Mercedes’ Formula 1 team in order to become the chief race engineer for its new Formula E operation.

Tony Ross has worked at Mercedes since 2011, acting as Bottas’ race engineer for the Finn’s two seasons with the team, as well as previously working with Nico Rosberg.

Bottas was heard paying tribute to Ross via team radio after the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirming that it had been Ross’ last race in the role.

“Tony Ross is going to be the chief race engineer of our Formula E programme,” Wolff confirmed when asked by about the team’s plans.

“He’s had enough of you guys! He’s going to dash off into a funny environment with only one race day and funky cities.

“Who replaces him, who, we’re discussing that. Give me a few weeks.” A Mercedes spokesperson added it would make a further announcement in due course.

Ross has been present at Formula E events in the past, attending the Marrakesh E-Prix in January and the recent pre-season test in Valencia, where the Mercedes-linked HWA team made its official debut.

HWA will evolve into Mercedes’ factory Formula E team for the series’ sixth season, starting in late 2019, but Ross is expected to make the move across sooner.