Tech chief Paddy Lowe takes ‘leave’ from Williams F1 team
Williams chief technical officer Paddy Lowe is taking “a leave of absence” from the Formula 1 team, Motorsport.com has learned.
Lowe's future at Williams was under scrutiny following the production delays that meant it missed the first two-and-a-half days of pre-season testing at Barcelona, and the performance of the new car when it did emerge.
He said in Spain that he had not considered his position once those problems had become known, and claimed that pinning the blame on one individual or making hasty personnel changes would be unwise. However, one week before the F1 season will begin in Australia, it has emerged that Lowe has stepped away from his role.
A team spokesperson confirmed to Motorsport.com that Lowe “is taking a leave of absence from the business for personal reasons”.
The team has not indicated what this means for Lowe's long-term future. As well as his responsibilities as technical chief, Lowe acquired a shareholding in Williams when he joined.
The pre-season setback added to the pressure Lowe was already facing following Williams's dismal 2018 season. Last year's car was the first to be designed and built under Lowe's leadership, following his high-profile and expensive move to Williams from Mercedes in early 2017.
It had fundamental aerodynamic problems that led to the team finishing last in the constructors' championship – the worst result in Williams's history.
The team conducted a major review into its processes over the 2018 season to ensure its 2019 car did not suffer from the same problems.
That increased expectations for the FW42 but also raised the significance of the car in terms of the competence of Williams's new senior structure.
The failure to coordinate the build process added further strain, and when it did hit the track the team was rooted to the bottom of the times. Lowe argued that the car was already showing signs of having much better characteristics than its predecessor.
However, rookie driver George Russell said the team was definitely slowest, while championship returnee Robert Kubica complained that the saga had left him knowing only “20%” of what he needs for his big F1 comeback in Melbourne.
Previous article
Albon had no "nasty surprises" from Toro Rosso
Next article
Why Renault’s bold F1 engine claims are hard to believe
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Robert Kubica , George Russell |
| Teams | Williams |
| Author | Scott Mitchell |
Jon Noble on the Bottas-Russell clash
Emilia Romagna race report
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
How "overwhelming" McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping .
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is no guarantee.
