11/12/2016
NEWS STORY
No sooner has McLaren denied that Mercedes technical boss Paddy Lowe is returning to Woking, than the Briton is strongly linked with Williams.
While Lowe enjoyed success with McLaren, rising to the role of Technical Director in 2011, his F1 career began with Williams, overseeing the active suspension system that would play a major part in Nigel Mansell's 1992 world championship success.
Just one year later he moved to Woking, eventually leaving for Brackley in mid-2013, re-uniting with Lewis Hamilton with whom he had played a significant role in his 2008 championship success.
It has recently been revealed that Lowe's contract with Mercedes comes to an end on 31 December, and despite the widespread belief that this would have been wrapped up some time ago this has not been the case.
With the team involved in its quest for its third successive constructor and driver titles, it's understood that Toto Wolff opted to put the matter on hold, sadly this may prove costly for the German team.
A sceptic - and here at Pitpass we're big on scepticism, especially when it comes to F1 - one might suggest that the Williams deal is being underwritten by Lawrence Stroll who is reputed to have spent £80m preparing his son Lance for his F1 debut next season.
Having paid for an F1 car, a couple of Mercedes engines (and engineers), for virtually unlimited testing at a whole range of venues, what better way to give your son an added career boost than by signing one of the best technical minds in the business, especially at a time Williams is clearly struggling for cash and thereby results having been eclipsed by Force India this season.
With his contract ending in December, Lowe would be free to get to work immediately.
With Valtteri Bottas said to be high on Mercedes 'shopping list' in terms of replacements for Nico Rosberg, should the Finn head to Brackley the right signings could help make Lance Stroll an even better prospect. On the other hand, such a move would not go down well with Hamilton.
How Lowe's move to Grove might affect Pat Symonds is unclear, but it is widely thought that the Briton is looking to retire.
All of which would leave Mercedes with yet another high-profile vacancy, and while former Ferrari man James Allison has been linked with a number of teams, most notably Renault, the Briton could now be encouraged to Brackley.
And who thought December was going to be quiet... or just about Rosberg's seat?