Paddy Lowe's early start a bonus for Mercedes, says Ross Brawn

The ex-McLaren technical director has been cleared to join Mercedes six months earlier than originally expected after a deal was agreed with his former employer.

Brawn believes that Lowe, whose official title is executive director (technical), will now be able to have a clear impact on work on the 2014 car.

"It is a bonus because this is a particularly challenging time with the 2014 car," said Brawn.

"We want to get started, believe it or not, on the 2015 car and it is a period when all our resources have been stretched to the limit."

Brawn added that Lowe's exact role within the team still needs to be fine-tuned.

Speaking in Monaco, Brawn confirmed he expected to hold meetings with Lowe once he arrived to work out how best to use him.

As Lowe's early arrival was not anticipated when the deal was originally done, there is a need to work out how best to use him over the rest of the year as well as in the long-term.

"I would not say we have fine-tuned his insertion into the group yet," said Brawn.

"Once he has joined, that will be a discussion between myself, [technical director] Bob [Bell] and Paddy to find the best way of using him immediately and the best way of using him in the long-term."