Technical officer Paddy Lowe has confirmed his official exit from Williams, three months after being placed on leave on the eve of the 2019 season.

Nairobi-born Lowe, who was signed by Williams for 2017 to replace Pat Symonds, took a leave of absence a week before the 2019 campaign kicked off in Australia. This temporary exit came after a disastrous pre-season which saw Williams miss the first two-and-a-half days of testing, and that has had a huge knock-on effect this term.

After eight races, the Grove-based outfit are yet to score a point with drivers Robert Kubica and George Russell struggling to get any real results out of their cars. Lowe has now confirmed his exit from the team with immediate effect, saying: “After a period of careful reflection, I have reached the decision that I will not return to work at Williams.

“I wish all my previous colleagues the very best to meet the challenges ahead, which I am sure they will do. I would especially like to thank the Williams fans who are so supportive.”

Deputy team principal Claire Williams has reacted to the news, adding: “We understand and respect the decision Paddy has reached and wish him well for the future.” The F1 campaign heads to Austria this weekend as Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton, who is the 1.10 favourite to win the world title, looks to extend his Drivers’ Championship lead even further.

The 34-year-old picked up his fourth straight win in France last time out, which was his sixth success of the season, and he will be confident of adding a seventh victory to his tally at Spielberg.