Williams has confirmed the signing of former Ferrari engineer Antonio Spagnolo for the remainder of the 2016 Formula 1 season.
Spagnolo was previously head of Ferrari’s tyre performance group, but has joined Williams in the role of competitor analysis and performance concept team leader.
He spent 11 years with Ferrari in several different roles, including as a race and performance engineer for Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.
Williams says Spagnolo will “concentrate on understanding our competitors’ strengths and identifying areas of our performance which require prioritisation of resources”.
The Grove-based outfit will also use his experience working with Pirelli to better understand and exploit “both theoretical and practical aspects of tyre performance”.
“Williams is determined to continue the positive momentum it has had since 2014 and, with new additions to the team, hopes to become even stronger,” said Pay Symonds, chief technical officer at the team.
“We are constantly seeing ways to improve our performance and trackside operations and believe Antonio will make a valuable contribution to this process.
“As a team, we will do our utmost to achieve our on-track ambitions and secure strong positions in the constructors’ championship this season, and beyond.”
