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Lowe to start work at Mercedes on June 3

Paddy Lowe left McLaren at the start of the season © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Ross Brawn
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• Paddy Lowe
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• Toto Wolff

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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