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[Hammer278]

Yeah I sorta have a thesis topic almost finalized, but nothing related to F1.

[Hammer278]

Lowe to start work at Mercedes on June 3

Mercedes has finally confirmed ex-McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe will join the team and revealed he will start work on June 3 under the title of executive director (technical).

A team press release said he "will work closely with team principal, Ross Brawn; executive director (business), Toto Wolff; and the team's senior technical management", putting an end to rumours he would be a direct replacement for Brawn. It added that Brawn would retain "overall responsibility for technical and sporting matters".

Lowe had been on 'gardening leave' from McLaren but the two teams have come to an agreement to let him start work at Mercedes before the end of the year.

"I am excited to become part of a highly talented and capable technical organisation," Lowe said. "The team has already produced probably the fastest car of the 2013 season while the technical challenges of the new regulations for 2014 will give us the opportunity to maximise the synergies available to a works manufacturer.

"That is a challenge I am relishing. I have worked closely with Mercedes-Benz for almost 20 years and deeply admire the company's phenomenal commitment to Formula One. I look forward to much success together in the years ahead."

Brawn added: "I am delighted to welcome Paddy to the team and to begin working together. He has an excellent record of success in the sport and would be an asset to any of our rivals in the pit lane. It is no secret that every team is facing a significant balancing act between this year and next.

"But it is perhaps less obvious that we will also see major changes for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, as development progresses with the new generation of car design and Power Unit. To deliver in these circumstances, a successful team needs strength in depth. Paddy's arrival will further strengthen our organisation and puts us in a strong position for the future."

McLaren announced that Lowe would be leaving Woking at the start of the season and it was an open secret that he had been poached by Wolff to follow him to Mercedes. Rumours persisted that Lowe would take Brawn's place as team principal, but Brawn looks set to stay in his post for now.

Lowe adds to the top-heavy management structure at Mercedes, joining fellow ex-technical directors Bob Bell (previously Renault), Aldo Costa (previously Ferrari) and Geoff Willis (previously Red Bull and HRT). Niki Lauda remains as non-executive chairman.

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Today is good news day! Brawn will stay.

[racechick]

Come on then Paddy. Sort out this car use of tyres!!! Yee ha!

[Jabberwocky]

do you think the conversation went

Mclaren "We have Honda engines for 2015"
Merc "We are not going to let you have 2014 engines then, we do not want the Honda guys sniffing about it"
Mclaren "Erm... Would you like tp swap Paddy Lowe for next years engines?"
Merc "Sounds like a deal"

[darwin dali]

do you think the conversation went

Mclaren "We have Honda engines for 2015"
Merc "We are not going to let you have 2014 engines then, we do not want the Honda guys sniffing about it"
Mclaren "Erm... Would you like tp swap Paddy Lowe for next years engines?"
Merc "Sounds like a deal"

[What's Burning?]

do you think the conversation went

Mclaren "We have Honda engines for 2015"
Merc "We are not going to let you have 2014 engines then, we do not want the Honda guys sniffing about it"
Mclaren "Erm... Would you like tp swap Paddy Lowe for next years engines?"
Merc "Sounds like a deal"

I said a few days ago after the announcement that Mercedes wouldn't be too keep on having Honda sniff at their engine/systems for a year with only McLaren's 'promise' not to as assurance.

You may be right about this being a happy medium.

[1Lemon]

do you think the conversation went

Mclaren "We have Honda engines for 2015"
Merc "We are not going to let you have 2014 engines then, we do not want the Honda guys sniffing about it"
Mclaren "Erm... Would you like tp swap Paddy Lowe for next years engines?"
Merc "Sounds like a deal"

I said a few days ago after the announcement that Mercedes wouldn't be too keep on having Honda sniff at their engine/systems for a year with only McLaren's 'promise' not to as assurance.

You may be right about this being a happy medium.

Merc couldn't do that anyway, as they had a contract to supply until 2015.

[What's Burning?]

do you think the conversation went

Mclaren "We have Honda engines for 2015"
Merc "We are not going to let you have 2014 engines then, we do not want the Honda guys sniffing about it"
Mclaren "Erm... Would you like tp swap Paddy Lowe for next years engines?"
Merc "Sounds like a deal"

I said a few days ago after the announcement that Mercedes wouldn't be too keep on having Honda sniff at their engine/systems for a year with only McLaren's 'promise' not to as assurance.

You may be right about this being a happy medium.

Merc couldn't do that anyway, as they had a contract to supply until 2015.

Ever heard of contract clauses? It's all circumstantial but McLaren agreeing to allow a resource like Paddy Lowe join Mercedes mid season when they contractually had him by the cojones until next year didn't happen out of the goodness of their heart.

[Jabberwocky]

It might also signify Mclaren giving up on this years car

[1Lemon]

do you think the conversation went

Mclaren "We have Honda engines for 2015"
Merc "We are not going to let you have 2014 engines then, we do not want the Honda guys sniffing about it"
Mclaren "Erm... Would you like tp swap Paddy Lowe for next years engines?"
Merc "Sounds like a deal"

I said a few days ago after the announcement that Mercedes wouldn't be too keep on having Honda sniff at their engine/systems for a year with only McLaren's 'promise' not to as assurance.

You may be right about this being a happy medium.

Merc couldn't do that anyway, as they had a contract to supply until 2015.

Ever heard of contract clauses? It's all circumstantial but McLaren agreeing to allow a resource like Paddy Lowe join Mercedes mid season when they contractually had him by the cojones until next year didn't happen out of the goodness of their heart.

I reckon it was dosh. Lots and lots of dosh, moolah, wonga!

[NHcheese]

McLaren are sneaky when it comes to cash.

[Hammer278]

Lowe release was goodwill - McLaren

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says the team has allowed Paddy Lowe to join Mercedes early because "it seemed like the right thing to do".

Having been placed on gardening leave by McLaren, it was announced yesterday that Lowe will be allowed to start work for Mercedes on June 3. The expectation had been that Lowe would have to complete a full year of gardening leave before he could take up his new role, but Whitmarsh said the team didn't feel it was right to hold him back from beginning his new job.

"In terms of the reasons why, Paddy has been a loyal servant here," Whitmarsh told a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes phone-in. "We felt it was the right thing to release him, and I think other than that there is nothing else we need to say on the matter.

"It's not related to the Honda deal. The Honda deal and the Mercedes deals had been done, so there was no pressure brought to bear. It was entirely our decision and we hope that it creates some goodwill. It seemed like the right thing to do.

"Paddy's a good guy. I think he's chosen a route and we didn't want to hold him back from that unnecessarily."

____________________________________________

Props to McLaren if this was indeed the case. I can't see Whitmarsh lying about this since its too easy for others to blow the whistle.

[racechick]

Well if that's the case good on Martin, it was a nice thing to do and he didnt have to do it.

[What's Burning?]

Nothing in those quotes makes what he said a lie even if there is an ulterior motive to it. I'm not convinced that there isn't a clause in the Mercedes/Mclaren engine contract that's making everyone at McLaren a bit skittish.

[1Lemon]

Nothing in those quotes makes what he said a lie even if there is an ulterior motive to it. I'm not convinced that there isn't a clause in the Mercedes/Mclaren engine contract that's making everyone at McLaren a bit skittish.

Do you really think they would have signed a contract that would have these clauses based around good faith, or dodgy clauses about the last year of engine use?