Paddy Lowe, former technical executive director at Mercedes is due to take up his new role at Williams in March, it has been learned by Autosport.
After leaving the Mercedes team nearly a month ago, it had been thought that he could start work immediately as part of the deal to allow Valtteri Bottas to move in the opposite direction.
However, it is understood that due to contract negotiations and discussions over his new role at Williams, have led to the delay of his appointment.
Lowe is to take up the most senior technical position within the team, effectively replacing Pat Symonds who left the team in December.
However, sources say that his role will be more senior the Symonds’ as Lowe will be on the Williams board of directors alongside Claire Williams and group CEO Mike O’Driscoll. It is also reported that Lowe has purchased shares in the team.
Lowe has worked with Williams in the past, alongside Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Damon Hill, overseeing the development of the famous active suspension helping Mansell to his 1992 championship.
After leaving Williams at the end of 1993 to move to McLaren where he spent 20 years working through the ranks to eventually become technical director, helping Mika Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton also to their respective titles.
Following Hamilton to Mercedes in 2013 saw more success with the new hybrid era of F1. Lowe helped see Mercedes to 51 out of 59 race victories since the start of the 2014 season.
