Pat Symonds will join Williams as technical director in mid-August, replacing Mike Coughlan who will leave with immediate effect, the Grove outfit confirmed on Tuesday.
The decision to replace Coughlan, who joined the team in 2011, was based on their results this season – their worst since joining Formula 1 as they’re yet to score a point in nine races.
Symonds is confident Williams have what is required to return to the top step again and says he’s honoured to be working for a team with such rich history.
“Williams is a team steeped in success and engineering excellence and I’m honoured to be asked to play a role in returning the team to its rightful place at the pinnacle of Formula One.
“Sir Frank [Williams], Mike [Coughlan] and Claire [Williams] have put in place the foundations for success and I’m immensely excited to begin this new challenge.”
Co-founder and team principal Sir Frank added: “I’m delighted that Pat is joining the team. His technical capabilities and sporting successes speak for themselves and I’m sure that his knowledge and leadership will contribute considerably to the success that all of us at Williams are working hard to achieve.”
Symonds currently works for Marussia as a consultant after he was ousted from the sport for his role in the crashgate scandal. His ban from the sport was however overturned after an appeal.
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