Williams: Departed Rob Smedley has "great relationship" with team

Williams chief technical officer Paddy Lowe has insisted that departing head of vehicle performance Rob Smedley still has a great relationship with the team, as Lowe explained he only left because of personal issues.

Smedley's departure was announced in November, with him being the latest example of all the turnover in personnel at the Grove-based team as their performance took a massive nose-dive in 2018.

The team only scored seven points over the season, meaning they ended dead-last in the constructors' championship by quite some distance.

Still, Lowe thanks Smedley for his input and his hard work in the time he's been at the team, as Williams gave the 45-year-old some framed Felipe Massa overalls as a parting gift.

It’s Rob Smedley’s last day here at Grove...but we couldn’t let him leave without handing over a pair of @MassaFelipe19 race overalls signed by the team pic.twitter.com/78QTecijnI

— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) 14 December 2018

"It's been fantastic to work with Rob," Lowe was quoted by Autosport.

"He's a great guy, a funny guy as well it's been a real pleasure to work with him in the office, and also particularly on the pitwall, we have a good time out there, even in the depths of poor performance.

"Rob is moving on, but he wanted to make some changes in his life.

"Before I arrived he wanted to stop travelling and spend more time with his family, he's been on the road for I don't know how many years and he's got a young family, and he wants to see a bit more of them. These things come along.

"We depart with a great relationship between Rob and the team and no regrets and great affection for the time we've had with him.

"I need to get those things said, because otherwise people make up their own stories."

Lowe also added that Williams have no plans for an external reinforcement to replace Smedley.