Williams announced the appointment of Paddy Lowe as their new chief technical officer on March 16, 2017. Lowe started his Formula One career at Williams as a control systems engineer and returns to head the team's engineering operation after four years with current constructors' champions Mercedes. The Briton is also now a Williams shareholder and will have a hand in the company's business along with deputy principal Claire Williams and chief executive Mike O'Driscoll.