Williams confirm F1 LEGEND as team make sensational changes

Renowned Formula 1 engineer Pat Fry will leave Alpine to join rivals Williams as their new chief technical officer, it has been confirmed.

Having held an identical role at Alpine since early 2022, Fry will switch teams to instead work under James Vowles, with his role to commence on November 1.

The position at Williams has been vacant since Paddy Lowe departed in 2019 and they also remain without a technical director following FX Demaison's exit.

However, Vowles, who replaced Jost Capito in the hot seat ahead of the current season, has now made his first senior appointment in a statement of intent.

Fry boasts three decades of experience in motorsport, having enjoyed a 17-year spell with McLaren and also worked with Ferrari and Manor.

READ MORE: Alpine announce departure of Szafnauer and LEGENDARY sporting director

READ MORE: Verstappen handed GRID PENALTY for Belgian Grand Prix

Fry targeting 'excellence'

"I am thrilled to be joining Williams Racing as chief technical officer," he said. "The team has a rich heritage in Formula 1, and I am excited to contribute to its future success.

"I believe in the team's potential and, together, we will strive for excellence on and off the track."

Vowles, meanwhile, added: "On behalf of all at Williams Racing, I'm delighted to be welcoming Pat.

"His knowledge and experience will further strengthen the team's technical capabilities and pursuit of excellence as we build the next chapter of Williams.

"Pat has been a core part of winning teams throughout his career, he is one of the most respected experts in our industry and I'm excited to begin work with him when he joins in November."

Fry's unveiling came shortly before Alpine confirmed team boss Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane will leave imminently.

READ MORE: Remembering Spa '98 and Schumacher's raging attempt to ASSAULT rival

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton 'takes responsibility' for Ferrari criticism - 'That wasn't the best version of me'

• 15 minutes ago

McLaren given Daniel Ricciardo 'black mark' as Project Piastri falters

• 51 minutes ago

F1 star is set to lose his job and Ferrari and McLaren are in a fight to replace him with 'their guy'

• 1 hour ago

$6billion Mercedes make bombshell claim in F1's upgrades race: 'We haven't got the money'

• 2 hours ago

Ferrari flops and Max misery: Five F1 things we learned from the Dutch Grand Prix

• 3 hours ago

'Is this AI?' - F1 fans speculate over controversial Max Verstappen crash footage at Dutch Grand Prix

• Today 18:15