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[andrew]

You buy into a business you expect to have some sort of say, especially given the sums of money involved in F1.

[LRW]

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12472/8523529/Press-reports-suggest-McLaren-s-Paddy-Lowe-will-join-Mercedes-in-2014

The Gaurdian, via Sky Sports, are reoprting that Lowe will see out his contract (ending 2013) with McLaren, on Gardening Leave, ready to start with Merc in 2014.

[bud]

That's a shame for Mercs 2014 shot at jumping the gun on the front runners. His influence would be felt by 2015 Lewis' 3rd with the team. Would it be enough to keep him there at the end?

[CookinFlat6]

Anyone thinking Lowe will spend his 'gardening leave' on holiday far from any laptop and internet connection would have to be on crack

[bud]

Sorry who would be on crack? Power Mod I wonder who he was referring to there?

But hey you think you its plausible to work with the design team of a company you're not contracted to thus illegally via Skype?

Sure why not!

[CookinFlat6]

if you had ever been a part of the corporate world (had a job for example) then you would know that these things are all negotiated as part of the seeperation process. It happens in every industry.
McLaren could have kept him working but felt they had more to lose by him staying, therefore some type of deal will have been done. He cant be involved with the W04, but next years car, I doubt McLaren would want to keep him off that away from the W04

Also a car designer spends the design stages pretty much at the drawing board, so i dont think you mean Skype, maybe more pen and paper

[bud]

Problem is the 2014 Merc is already being designed by a team of people, if Lowe was free to work on this car because of some corporate deal then he wouldn't be going on gardening leave, He would be in Brackley. Why would McLaren allow a contracted employee work on a competitors car? It's one thing to stop said employee knowing what's going on in your team it's also good to stop him using his current knowledge and skills elsewhere.

[CookinFlat6]

Deals are made, these things happen in F1 all the time

Mclaren have let other drivers and staff start working for other teams before they had to

So there is already a team working on the 2014 car, Ferrari recently brought in Rory Byrne for their 2014 car, I am sure work didn't just start up when he arrived

[andrew]

Anyone thinking Lowe will spend his 'gardening leave' on holiday far from any laptop and internet connection would have to be on crack

I'm always on crack when I'm sitting down.

[CookinFlat6]

Andrew Bensons take on what gardening leave has meant in F1 over the years

"Paddy Lowe's 'gardening leave' means he will not be allowed to do any work for his new employers. But these things are notoriously difficult to police.

"F1 insiders will recall, for example, what happened when Adrian Newey, now Red Bull's design chief, left Williams at the end of 1996.

"He was on 'gardening leave' until joining McLaren in September 1997.

"Yet at the first race Newey attended as McLaren technical director, a front wing that was almost a carbon copy of that on the Williams was fitted to the McLaren.

"No-one knows for sure how that happened, but it's fair to say those at Williams at the time - including Geoff Willis, now in a senior role at Mercedes - have their suspicions.

[LRW]

BBC are now saying Brawn is definitely gone by 2014.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21571627

[racechick]

I don't really see how they can stop him picking up a phone and talking, they surely won't be monitoring all his calls cos that's not legal.
Simplified example.
MERCEDES DESIGN TEAM - Paddy , we're thinking of trying this, just want to run It past you.
PADDY- you're on the right lines but we tried that, it's not quite right because such and such will happen, you need to try this.
MERCEDES DESIGN TEAM- Thanks paddy chat again soon


there, easy. And he could then go out and tend his roses.

[CookinFlat6]

Reuters are saying Brawn definitively stays for now

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/25/motor-racing-mclaren-idUKL4N0BP57D20130225?feedType=RSS&feedName=motorSportsNews

As long as Brawn stays this year and the team make a big step forward it doesnt really matter. 2014 might be a good time for Ross to retire if he wanted to
He was a major shareholder, he isnt anymore out of personal choice, he has nothing to prove

Starting 2013 and developing the car over the year without your TD is brave by McLaren, however Im sure they planned all this and have something up their sleeves, and Button is only pretending to be baffled by the cars lack of grip and balance

[CookinFlat6]

I don't really see how they can stop him picking up a phone and talking, they surely won't be monitoring all his calls cos that's not legal.
Simplified example.
MERCEDES DESIGN TEAM - Paddy , we're thinking of trying this, just want to run It past you.
PADDY- you're on the right lines but we tried that, it's not quite right because such and such will happen, you need to try this.
MERCEDES DESIGN TEAM- Thanks paddy chat again soon


there, easy. And he could then go out and tend his roses.

yeah like in the cut throat world of F1, some would have us believe that Merc will not gain anything from Lowe for a whole year.

'Ooh, McLaren have a contract, there will be no benefit to Merc whatsoever, in fact looks like Merc have screwed up and Lewis' move now looks worse than ever'

I even heard someone say somewhere that Whitmarsh thinks very highly of Tim Goss, and that Merc picked the wrong man

[racechick]

Don't want Brawn to leave . He's a safe person to have around, one you can trust. I like him.
But most of all I want Mercedes to win with Lewis. They do seem hell bent on it. Bet Paddy will be well glad to be back working with Lewis!