Amid Concorde talks, Parr exit not coincidental

As ever in the complex and political world of formula one, the media reacted with cynicism to the news Adam Parr is leaving Williams.

After all, it had emerged in Malaysia that the famous British team was one of only a few yet to agree terms with Bernie Ecclestone over the 2013 Concorde Agreement.

And Chairman Parr - who was Williams’ de-facto team principal at races in Sir Frank Williams’ regular absence - had never seen eye-to-eye with F1’s indomitable chief executive.

Moreover, as Tom Cary wrote in the Telegraph, there had been "no indication" of Parr’s stepping down: indeed, quite the opposite was true.

Parr said this month that he "could not imagine doing anything else", while Williams earlier this month described the former Rio Tinto man as his "natural successor".

Telegraph correspondent Cary said "sources suggest he was the victim of a power play", adding that Parr’s new absence and the Concorde talks seem "far from coincidental".

"Ecclestone had little time" for Parr, the journalist added, continuing that he was "one of the few within the sport who dared to criticise him".

Ecclestone, moreover, last month criticised Williams’ recent restructuring, including the departure of Sam Michael and arrival of Mike Coughlan.

"I don’t think they’ve done it the right way," said the F1 supremo. "The changes should have come from above, not from below.

"I think people like (shareholder) Toto Wolff should get more control," he added.

The Independent newspaper this week agreed that the timing of Parr’s exit "seems a bit strange".

And the Guardian acknowledged that he had had "an edgy relationship" with Ecclestone.