Leadership shake-up at Williams

Williams

Leadership shake-up at Williams

Simon Roberts has joined from McLaren as managing director

Sam Hall

Monday 11 May 2020 12:48 Updated: 12:55

Williams has announced the appointment of Simon Roberts to the newly created position of managing director F1.

Roberts joins the team from McLaren where he has held the position of chief operations officer since 2017.

“Simon will bring enormous experience and knowledge to the Williams team, and we are delighted that he is joining us when we head back to work after this long enforced F1 shutdown," said deputy team principal Claire Williams.

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"He will lead a highly talented team that’s looking forward to designing and developing the next generation of Williams F1 cars.”

Moving from the automotive sector into motorsport with McLaren in 2003, Roberts held various leadership roles within the team.

Roberts with McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh in 2011

Roberts will complete his move on June 1 and will take responsibility for the F1 technical, operations and planning functions, reporting to CEO Mike O’Driscoll.

Since finishing third in the constructors' championship in 2014 and 2015, Williams endured the worst season in its history in 2019, finishing last in the constructors' championship and scoring just one point.

The appointment of Roberts will be viewed as another key piece in the jigsaw towards the team's hoped-for recovery.

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