Jenson Button is adamant the departure of technical director Paddy Lowe will not halt McLaren’s momentum ahead of the new Formula One season.
Button and McLaren will have to do without a man who has given the team 19 years’ service as big-spending Mercedes have again managed to secure another highly-rated talent by waving their cheque book.
Although Lowe has another year on his contract, he will have no involvement in McLaren’s operation during the coming campaign that begins on March 17.
Button admitted towards the end of last year he would be disappointed to see Lowe leave because “that’s the guy who’s going to help me achieve in the future”.
The day after McLaren confirmed Lowe’s exit, with Tim Goss stepping up from his role as engineering director, Button believes there is enough strength in depth to ensure he will not be too sorely missed.
“I really like Paddy,” said Button at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.
“It’s been good fun working with him over the past three years, not just in a working relationship but also as a friend because he is a good guy, a fun character.
“But things change, he wants to try something new, a new challenge, which is fair play to him. He has to think about number one, so good luck to him.
“For us, will it make a massive difference? For me, having Tim in the position he is now in fantastic. He was exceptional in his previous role and I think he will be in this role.
“It’s not about one individual, it’s about the full team, and Paddy leaving is part of the sport, people move around and go to different places.
“This team will succeed with or without Paddy in the future.”