Williams has 'great affection' for departing Smedley - Lowe

  • Published on 15 Jan 2019 09:49
  • comments 5
  • By: Coilin Higgins

Williams Racing's Chief Technical Officer Paddy Lowe has spoke with high praise of departing Head of Vehicle Performance, Rob Smedley. Smedley has been in the position at the team since he moved to the Grove outfit after a nine year stint with Ferrari in 2014.

Smedley announced his departure from the team during the middle of the 2018 season, and former colleague Lowe has said of how he holds great affection and no regrets for Smedley, and said that their relationship together was positive both on and off the circuit.

"It's been fantastic to work with Rob. He's a great guy, and a funny guy as well." Lowe told Autosport. It's been a real pleasure to work with him in the office and particularly on the pit wall."

"We have a really good time out there, even in the depths of poor performance. But Rob is moving on, he wanted to make some changes to his life."

Smedley started his career with Jordan, before moving to Ferrari and becoming famous for his close and comical relationship with former driver Felipe Massa, who also moved to Williams in 2014 until his retirement at the end of 2017. Williams now hope to have a better season in 2019, after very poor performance seen the team finish last with only seven points in 2018.

"We depart with a great relationship between Rob and the team, with no regrets and great affection for the time we have had with him." Lowe commented. "I need to get those things said, otherwise people will make up their own stories."

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • I wonder how Williams will develop without Smedley. He's done well enough there, Im sure, yet I think Williams need renewal.

    • + 0
    • Jan 15 2019 - 19:06
    • You have to wonder how well he has really done given their track record.

      • + 0
      • Jan 17 2019 - 00:13
    • I think he has done what he could've done given a pretty tough situation. Mind, I do really think Williams need to do what McLaren currently are doing: burn away the rotten flesh to let the wounds heal so they can get going.

      • + 0
      • Jan 17 2019 - 16:43
  • blade

    Posts: 341

    Its difficult to comment, don't know what he contributed so not fair to comment - Paddy's comments cant be taken as gospel as a seasoned politician. Like you say, the proof will be in the pudding. Aside Smedley - I genuinely hope to see W nearer the front than the back - a la Brawn.

    • + 0
    • Jan 16 2019 - 22:28
  • It makes me wonder if he said that after he said that they are making improvements in their engineering team.

    • + 0
    • Jan 17 2019 - 00:12

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Apr 8 1692 (332)
  • Place of b. Nairobi, Kenya, United Kingdom
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar