Williams sign ex-VW motorsport boss as sporting director

Williams has completed the signing of former Volkswagen motorsport director Sven Smeets as its new sporting director.

After taking sole responsibility for the running of Williams earlier this year, Capito quickly identified a need to restructure the team with the appointment of a sporting director key.

Without making a formal announcement of Smeets' appointment, Williams has found its man with the Belgian now listed as having put pen to paper in November on the team website.

"In his current role, Sven is responsible for the sporting governance and representation of the team in all sporting matters related to the FIA, other teams, and motorsport associations," reads Smeets' Williams bio.

"He plays a key role in supporting the team’s drivers, including being responsible for the Williams Racing Driver Academy, as well as having overall accountability for the race team.

"Working alongside Jost Capito, [technical director] FX Demaison and the Williams Racing Management Team, Sven ensures that the optimal culture, resources and environment are in place for the team to succeed."

When Capito left VW in 2016 to join McLaren, the German leaving after securing three consecutive drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in the World Rally Championship, Smeets took control of the team and held his position as motorsport director for five years.

Smeets attended his first grand prix with Williams in Qatar and will be central to the development of the team into the new era of the sport.

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