Paddy Lowe will leave his post as technical executive director at Mercedes and is set to join Williams according to reports.
As we await news as to if Valtteri Bottas will make his long-rumoured move to Mercedes, it appears that Lowe is going to be part of the deal according to Auto Motor und Sport’s Michael Schmidt.
His potential move could see him taking over the team principal role at the Grove based team with reports that he has now left the world champions.
However, what looked to be a simple deal to go through in getting Felipe Massa out of retirement and Bottas making the switch, is somewhat more complicated.
Schmidt reports that while no compensation fee has yet to be agreed between the two parties, “Mercedes has made it clear to Williams that they are not willing to pay any sum,” he said.
With Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds not renewing his contract, this is where Lowe factors into play, despite being under contract until May. “We hear that Lowe will not take the position of technical director (at Williams), but that of team boss,” added Schmidt
“Claire Williams would then take over from her father. Supposedly, Lowe also wants team shares.”
Signing for Williams would be a huge deal for the team who finished fifth in the Constructors’ championship in 2016. Their continued efforts to return back to the front of the grid would be given a huge boost if Lowe were to arrive.
Even if it were to be in a team principal role, Williams could use Paddy’s experience since leaving the team after his first spell with them in 1993.
In September it was first speculated that Lowe was looking to leave and potentially set to join Ferrari to replace James Allison who left earlier last year due to personal reasons. It is widely expected that Mercedes would fill the gap left by Lowe with Allison.
