Decision to step down 'is Brawn's alone' - Lowe

Jul.3 (GMM) At the very top of the Mercedes team, the 'elephant in the room' is called Paddy Lowe.

Lowe, surprisingly released early by McLaren, is now attending races for Mercedes, even though many had expected him to arrive to replace team boss Ross Brawn.

But Brawn is quoted on Wednesday by the BBC: "We're in good shape for next year. I wouldn't want to miss the fun."

For fellow Briton Lowe, it's a slightly awkward situation -- not yet in a defined role, and apparently simply waiting for Brawn to quietly step aside.

There have even been rumours Brawn could return to Honda to lead the Japanese marque's 2015 reunion in F1 with McLaren, but Brawn insists: "I don't know anything about that."

So, Lowe waits.

"Ross is currently the team principal," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, "we don't know how long he wants to go on, but it's his decision alone.

"I'm proud to work with a man who has beaten me many times in my career," Lowe smiled.

"In the meantime there's a lot to do and I'm very comfortable with that."