Allison to re-join Ferrari

Back in May the Lotus Formula One team were struck a heavy blow with James Allison stepping down as Lotus technical director.

Allison had been Lotus’s Technical Director since 2009 but was immediately being linked with a return to Ferrari where he worked between 2000-2005, although he was also linked with Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull.

The speculation had come about due mostly to a clear process of elimination.

Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff confirmed that Allison had been approached by Niki Lauda back in December 2012, but had suggested that this failed to progress any further.

Whilst the appointment of McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe at Mercedes also seemed to indicate that that avenue appeared to be closed.

Red Bull had flat out denied the speculation to the BBC, while the British broadcaster also believed that Allison has turned down an offer from McLaren, with Tim Goss stepping in to replace Paddy Lowe.

When Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was asked about Allison possibly joining Ferrari on May 8th he simply said ‘It’s just a rumour,’.

But that rumour has now been confirmed as true as Allison, as expected will join Ferrari officially from September 1st.

Allson has been named as ‘chassis technical director’, alongside Pat Fry who will become ‘director of engineering’, the pair previously worked together in the 1990’s at the former Benetton team.

Both Allison and Fry will report directly to team principal Stefano Domenicali.