Wolff and Cowell react to sudden departure: "Change is part of the deal"

"After 16 enjoyable years working for HPP, I have decided that now is the right time to move on from my role and seek a new engineering business challenge", Cowell says to the official Mercedes channels. The Brit is happy that he has been able to make a great contribution in recent years. "Thank you to everyone who has provided me with such amazing opportunities and enjoyable challenges, especially [Daimler CEO] Ola Källenius who had the courage to support me back in 2006.”

Cowell will be succeeded by Hywel Thomas. "I'm confident that Hywel and the team will take the company forward. It has been an absolute honour to work for Mercedes and especially to have been Managing Director of engine development for seven years," he concludes.

Wolff in turn thanks his colleague for services rendered over the past seasons. “I am sure he will enjoy great success in the next challenge he decides to take on. Our philosophy has always been that a winning team is a dynamic organisation, and that change is a natural part of every company’s development," said the team boss of the German team.