Mercedes hire ex-F1 star in Helmut Marko-esque role as Red Bull example followed

16 March 2023 , 19:24

1227     0

Former Lotus F1 driver Jerome D'Ambrosio has been hired by Mercedes (Image: PA)

Mercedes have hired Jerome D'Ambrosio to oversee the development of their young drivers after a short period of working informally with the team.

D'Ambrosio raced 20 times in Formula 1 across two seasons, representing the Virgin and Lotus teams. He later switch his focus to the all-electric Formula E series during its inaugural season, scoring consistent points as his Dragon Racing outfit finished in second place.

He later switched to Mahindra Racing before retiring and joining Venturi as deputy team principal. He took over the top role when Susie Wolff was made chief executive and left last year before the team was rebranded for the new season as Maserati.

His strong relationship with the Wolffs has helped him to land his newest role, and a return to the F1 paddock. He was spotted several times in the Mercedes garage across testing and the first race in Bahrain, with the team explaining that he was there informally.

But the door was very much left open to the potential of a more serious partnership coming from it. And that is what has happened, with D'Ambrosio now formally employed by the team.

Inside the driver call which upset Red Bull and changed the course of F1 history

He was spotted in the Jeddah paddock wearing full Mercedes gear, which prompted the confirmation from the team that the Belgian has officially been hired.

Williams team principal James Vowles used to look after junior Mercedes drivers (Getty Images)

D'Ambrosio's main responsibility will be to manage the young drivers Mercedes have on the books, competing in various junior categories. That includes some duties at F1 weekends and in helping some of those younger talents to rise through the ranks towards F1.

It is not a dissimilar role to the one held by Helmut Marko at Red Bull. The Austrian oversees their expansive young driver programme and has a great track record of helping racers to reach F1.

Mercedes have been in need of someone to take responsibility for nurturing their junior drivers since the departure of James Vowles. He left in February this year to become Williams team principal.

Daniel Moxon