Sam Michael, McLaren’s sporting director, has finally confirmed what the entire F1 paddock suspects — Paddy Lowe is heading to Mercedes.<\/p>\n
It is a poorly-kept secret that 50-year-old Lowe, formerly McLaren’s technical director, has been placed on ‘gardening leave’ before he moves to Mercedes, perhaps to become the Brackley based team’s new boss in 2014.<\/p>\n
But in its media statement last week, McLaren said only that Lowe is embarking “on a fresh challenge in 2014”.<\/p>\n
Mercedes has also refused to officially confirm the news.<\/p>\n
But McLaren’s Michael has now told British broadcaster Sky: “He (Lowe) has taken his choice to move to Mercedes and we wish him all the best.”<\/p>\n
Bild, Germany’s biggest newspaper, has heard the same information, reporting that a winning Mercedes would be “a parting gift” from the team’s current boss, Ross Brawn.<\/p>\n
“Next season he (Brawn) will be replaced by ex McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe,” read the report.<\/p>\n
Even Mercedes is beginning to sing from that songsheet.<\/p>\n
The German newspaper FAZ has quoted motor sport boss and shareholder Toto Wolff as saying: “If Paddy Lowe should come to Mercedes, then there would be a very structured succession plan with Ross, which would be done by mutual goodwill and for the benefit of the team.”<\/p>\n
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