Mercedes to get key Ferrari signings early in 'trade'

Two senior Ferrari engineers are to join Mercedes earlier than expected following an agreement between the two teams. 

It was announced in March that former Ferrari chief designer Simone Resta and simulator chief Enrico Sampo would be joining Mercedes, but would need to serve the normal gardening leave period technical staff must when switching teams. 

However, it was confirmed earlier this week that Mercedes performance director Loic Serra and head of driver development Jerome D'Ambrosio would be heading to Maranello, and starting in their roles at the Scuderia from October 1st. 

A Mercedes team spokesperson has confirmed to RacingNews365 that after an agreement between Mercedes and Ferrari, Resta and Sampo will be free to join Mercedes from the same October 1st date. 

Resta is set to take up the position of strategic development director, whilst Sampo will be head of performance software applications at Brackley. 

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The parting of ways with chief aerodynamicist Gioacchino Vino was also announced on Friday as part of a reshuffle, as techincal director James Allison put the turnover of staff down to the "ebb and flow" of a team.

"I think it's more in the normal ebb and flow of an F1 team," he told media including RacingNews365. 

"The teams are big these days and in any given year you are shipping out a whole bunch of people and shipping in a matching number. That will be true in nearly every team.

"I don't think there is any point in me offering a commentary on motivation, clearly a team needs to have a critical mass of experienced and good people.

"We would not wish to see experienced and good people leave us, but we are also gathering experienced and good people at a similar rate. 

"So I guess it is our job to try and make sure we act in such a way that people would rather be with us than anywhere else."