 After the resignations of Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds in relation to the Renault Formula One crash controversy, Bell was appointed acting team principal for the rest of 2009, on September 23, 2009.For the 2010 season, Bell held the position of managing director for the Renault team until leaving the team on October 6, 2010.On 18 February 2011, Bell was appointed as the new technical director of Mercedes GP, effective of 1 April 2011.