McLaren to lose technical director to Mercedes?

© McLaren

McLaren's chief technical director Paddy Lowe could be moving to Mercedes in 2013, according to German media reports.

The senior engineer, who has worked at McLaren for some 20 years, would be Mercedes' second high-profile signing from the Woking squad after they lured Lewis Hamilton to the Anglo-German outfit for 2013.

Lowe and Hamilton are among a raft of recent signings at Mercedes over the past two seasons which also include Bob Bell, Geoff Willis, Aldo Costa, Niki Lauda and as of Monday, Toto Wolff.

The loss of Lowe would be a big blow for McLaren just weeks away from the start of the new season. The team declined to comment on the rumour, but it's believed it holds some substance.

Further speculation suggests Lowe will take up a very senior position, possibly replacing Nick Fry, whilst the BBC's Eddie Jordan believes current team principal Ross Brawn will lose his job to Wolff.

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