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McLaren has appointed Tim Goss as its new technical director, in the wake of Paddy Lowe's decision to switch to Mercedes.

After weeks of speculation about Lowe's future, sources confirmed on Monday that he had now agreed to leave the Woking-based team and join Mercedes from the start of 2014.

While Lowe will be put on 'gardening leave' by McLaren until his current contract finishes at the end of the year, the team has moved to promote its director of engineering Goss to replace him.

Speaking about his new role, Goss said: "I'm delighted to have been offered the technical directorship of McLaren, and I'm greatly looking forward to making a significant contribution to the team's ongoing success in that role."

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said he was confident that Lowe's departure would not hamper his outfit's ambitions to win the championship this year.

"I firmly believe that 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," he said.

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

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

Speaking about Lowe's position going forwards, Whitmarsh said: "Paddy [Lowe] will be performing a different role within McLaren until the end of the year.

"He's been a good and successful F1 technical director, and we wish him well when he embarks on a fresh challenge in 2014."