Ferrari turned down Paddy Lowe opportunity

Ferrari rejected an opportunity to sign Paddy Lowe from Mercedes.

That is the claim of Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne who said the Mercedes technical chief approached the Maranello team.

"We had a proposal [from Lowe], but the role was already covered," he said during a Christmas lunch for media this week according to La Reppublica.

"We are not looking for a Ross Brawn-like saviour who can solve all the problems," he added. "Together, we can pull through by working the right way.

"I don’t want to be constantly changing the team," Marchionne insisted, despite a number of staff changes in recent years.

Lowe is thought to be on his way to Williams to replace the retiring Pat Symonds. Meanwhile, his place at Mercedes will likely be taken by James Allison.

The former-Ferrari technical director is currently on gardening leave from the Italian team but will be free to join another outfit next summer. Lowe will likely face a similar scenario once his exit from Mercedes has been announced