Paddy Lowe to leave Mercedes F1 team

Executive Technical director Paddy Lowe had decided to leave Mercedes AMG F1 Team, having enjoyed there a highly successful few years He has now begun a period of garden leave. The team says that in the short term, they will rely on their current management to continue to lead the team while thanking Lowe for his efforts.

"The company's Board wishes Paddy well with his future endeavours and thanks him for his significant contribution to the team's achievements."

In the short term, the technical organisation will continue to operate under the proven and established leadership of our senior directors Aldo Costa (Engineering Director), Mark Ellis (Performance Director), Rob Thomas (Chief Operating Officer) and Geoff Willis (Technology Director).

"Paddy has played an important part in our success during the past three and a half years", Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Toto Wolff commented.

"We thank him for his contribution to this significant chapter in Mercedes' motorsport history. Success in Formula One is not about single individuals but about the strength in depth and technical capability of an organisation.

"We have the talent in place to continue our success of recent years and we plan to build upon it in 2017 and beyond."

Paddy Lowe said he enjoyed his time with the team, but is already looking forward to the next challenge, which is widely expected to be a leading position at Williams F1.

"I have had a fantastically successful and enjoyable three and a half years at Mercedes working with an incredible team of people. I am now looking forward to a new challenge and wish everyone well at Mercedes."

The news ends a long few months of rumours, with the current deal reportedly also involving a possible move of Williams' Valtteri Bottas to Mercedes, filling the empty seat that was left there by World Champion Nico Rosberg.