Key to Williams, Symonds to retire, Allison to where? (Update)

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' with news of Symonds departure from Williams today.

Pat Symonds

10/05/16 (GMM) With the driver 'silly season' on pause for now, attention is turning to potential moves among key F1 technical staff.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that James Key, the highly respected technical boss at Toro Rosso, looks set to switch to Williams for 2018.

That is because the F1 veteran Pat Symonds is tipped to retire from his role at Williams after turning 65 in two years.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko commented when asked about Key: "It is possible that after his contract expires (in 2017), he will go to another team."

Another top engineer on the move is the extremely highly rated James Allison, who departed Ferrari this year following the sudden death of his wife and rumors he was not happy in Italy.

"Allison is linked with many teams," Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt said, mentioning British-based Williams, Renault, McLaren and Red Bull.