Tim Goss appointed McLaren's new technical director

Ross Brawn's role as team principal in the spotlight

Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and McLaren Director of Engineering Tim Goss (2nd L) (Getty Images)

Tim Goss has been appointed McLaren's new technical director to replace Paddy Lowe, who will join Mercedes at the end of the year.

Lowe's move, to be confirmed by Mercedes, ends fierce speculation as he has been linked with the team for the past few weeks.

But now Ross Brawn's role as team principal with the Brackley-based marque has been put firmly in the spotlight.

For the remaining year of his contract with McLaren Lowe "will be performing a different role" within the organisation, according to team principal Martin Whitmarsh, albeit undefined and understood to be away from grands prix weekends.

Last month Mercedes unveiled Toto Wolff as their new head of motorsport and it was at that stage Lowe was quickly earmarked for a move, with rumours suggesting he would become team principal.

Brawn defiantly stated, though, he was "in charge" and in having directly spoken to Lowe was fully aware of his situation.

But given Mercedes are already laden with technical directors the question is what role Lowe will take on, if not as Brawn's successor, as he again teams up with Lewis Hamilton following the Briton's move from McLaren at the start of the year.

On Lowe, Whitmarsh said: "Paddy has been a good and successful technical director and we wish him well when he embarks on a fresh challenge in 2014."

For now, it is Goss, formerly McLaren's director of engineering, who has been appointed technical director with immediate effect.

With McLaren since 1990, during which time Goss has contributed to five drivers' and three constructors' world titles, Whitmarsh believes his new role is one he "richly deserves".

Whitmarsh added: "His quiet and unassuming persona conceals a fierce competitiveness and a wealth of experience, coupled to an unrivalled level of expertise in the field of Formula One car design and engineering."

Despite Lowe's impending exit, Whitmarsh said: "I firmly believe our technical and engineering team is the best in the F1 business and that its strength in depth has always been, and will continue to be, an important element of our on-track success.

"Moreover, I'm certain that, in his expanded role, Tim will continue to lead it very capably and will evolve and improve it.

"That's his brief and it's already clear he's prepared to embrace it with energy and enthusiasm."

Underlining what Lowe is leaving behind, Goss has described his new role as "one of the most prestigious positions in global sport".

Meanwhile, McLaren have no doubts they will conquer the gremlins regarding their latest electronics unit that has so far caused frustration along the pitlane.

McLaren Electronics Systems (MES), a subsidiary of the McLaren Group, has provided standard ECUs for all teams in Formula One over the past few years.

For this year and beyond, MES have upgraded the component, only for a number of teams to encounter issues over the two four-day tests that have taken place at Jerez and Barcelona.

With the final four-day test to commence on Thursday in Barcelona, it leaves MES little time to resolve matters ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 17.

Peter van Manen, the managing director of MES, said: "There is a new ECU for 2013, replacing the unit that has been running on F1 cars for the past five years.

"This new unit will be used with the V8 engines this year and will go on to control the new powertrains in 2014 and beyond.

"They are complex units and, despite considerable bench and dyno testing during 2012, there are inevitable teething problems that are revealed and need to be resolved during track testing.

"The FIA, the teams, the engine manufacturers and McLaren Electronics Systems are all working together during current pre-season testing to ensure the systems are in good shape for racing in Melbourne."

PA