Mercedes strengthens technical team

Sep 30, 2011, 10:09 GMT

Berlin - Formula One team Mercedes has appointed a former Ferrari employee to strengthen its technical team, team principal Ross Brawn said on Friday.

Brawn, who himself worked for Ferrari for many years, said that Aldo Costa becomes Engineering Director, while Geoffrey Willis will join the team as Technology Director.

Willis, who worked as a consultant for Hispania Racing, will join Mercedes in October, while former Ferrari Technical Director Costa joins the team in December.

Costa won eight world championships during his stint with Ferrari.

'I am delighted that Aldo Costa and Geoff Willis will be joining the team. Geoff is a highly respected engineer with over twenty years of Formula One experience, and we look forward to his arrival next month.

'Having worked closely with Aldo for many years, I know that he will bring dedication and championship-winning expertise to the team when he joins in December.

'Building a winning team is an exciting challenge for us all as we work towards the competitiveness and standards that we aspire to as the Mercedes-Benz works team. With a strong technical structure, we are moving ourselves into the best possible position to achieve our ambitions.'

Mercedes has disappointed since taking over the BrawnGP team ahead of the 2010 season and managed just three third places and finished fourth in the drivers' standings, well behind Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

They are currently fourth in the standings and have not yet achieved a podium place this season.