In response to Mercedes’ ongoing ground effect struggles with the W14 cars at the start of the 2023 season, Alisson has resumed his previous role as technical director for 2021.

This allows him to take a more hands-on role in influencing current vehicle development, while Elliott now holds a long-term strategic role as chief technology officer.

Mercedes insisted that Elliott pushed through the switch on his own terms because he felt he was better suited to take on the bigger role.

That sentiment was reinforced by Russell, who said ahead of Thursday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix that both engineers are now “in their groove”.

“It’s really good news for the team,” Russell said.

“Mike was probably one of the smartest engineers I’ve ever met in my life.

“But in any team, if you take football for example, there are 11 players on the pitch.

“You need to make sure you have the right players in the right positions to get the best out of the team. I think Mike comes into his new role and he’s going to be fully in his element.

“With James, he obviously used to be involved in the F1 program on a part-time basis and now he’s almost full-time. It’s just an addition to us and him as technical director.

“He’s in his element. He understands people, he understands the sport. He’s a great leader. That’s what you need from someone in that role.”

Russell added that the reorganization was unlikely to produce drastic changes in day-to-day work at the Brackley headquarters.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23

Photography: Steve Etherington/ motorsport pictures

“At the end of the day, no one person can make a decision and create a car,” he said.

“Maybe a team of eight people. Between us and what we do as drivers for the advanced technical department, this is where you make these overall decisions and then feed back to the rest of the factory in the direction you want to take department.

“Nothing changes overnight in that regard. But James just needs to be present at all the meetings and discussions.”

Team-mate Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, believes the switch of Elliott and Allison “only strengthens the team”.

The seven-time champion said: “James has always been a member of the team. Obviously, he has also focused a little bit on another area before.

“I think having him take a step back to support Mike and work with him just strengthens the team going forward.

“He obviously has a lot of experience. Going forward, it will be good for the team.

“Especially all the things we want to achieve, not only on orbit, but off orbit. It’s going to be fine.”