Williams confirm another 2018 departure
Williams confirm another 2018 departure
Williams have confirmed that Rob Smedley will leave his role as the team's head of performance engineering at the end of 2018. The beleaguered British squad have undergone several changes behind the scenes this year as they have struggled badly for results.
The nine-time constructors' campions will finish comfortable bottom of the constructors' standings at the end of 2018, having accrued just seven points in 19 races.
Dirk de Beer and Ed Wood lost their jobs as head of aerodynamics and chief designer respectively in May over Williams' dreadful start to the campaign, but it appears that former Ferrari man Smedley is departing under his own steam.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Williams," he said.
"The team has been through great change since I joined in 2014 and it has been a pleasure to have played a part in that.
"Williams is a very special team within the F1 community and I'm certain that with all the talent that we have here they will go on and do better things.
"The team will always remain close to my heart. After 20 years in Formula One, however, I feel it's the right time to reflect on things and evaluate what the next move is.
"I'm thoroughly looking forward to spending more time with my family before deciding on future opportunities."
A familiar face on the F1 grid, Smedley previously served as Felipe Massa's race engineer at Ferrari and his move to Williams in 2014 was followed by back-to-back third-place finishes in the constructors' standings.
MORE: McLaren and Williams failings 'confusing and disappointing' - Coulthard
MORE: Russell backs Williams to break hex in 2019
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Newey's desired Ferrari role revealed as Red Bull chief submits RESIGNATION - GPFans F1 Recap
- 1 hour ago
Leclerc pictured with new love as post hits 3 MILLION likes
- 2 hours ago
Spice Girl 'rock of support' for Geri Horner amid Red Bull 'NIGHTMARE'
- 3 hours ago
Newey move to F1 rivals RULED OUT
- Yesterday 20:57
Jos Verstappen hints at Red Bull EXIT for champion son
- Yesterday 19:57
How soon will Newey win the F1 title at his new team?
- Yesterday 18:57
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860