WILLIAMS CEO TO TAKE TEAM PRINCIPAL ROLE

Williams Grand Prix Engineering has announced the departure of team principal Simon Roberts, as CEO Jost Capital will absorb the role.

Roberts joined Williams 12 months ago in the newly-created role of managing director, however after just two months with the team found himself promoted to the role of acting Team Principal when the Williams family sold the team.

For the 2021 season Roberts was given the role of team principal on a permanent basis, but after just six races that has come to an end. Roberts has been shown the door and replaced by Capito.

Capito has been looking at the outfit and after several months has decided a complete internal reorganisation was necessary.

Capito has restructured the team so there is a much simpler structure within the outfit. Capito effectively takes on the role of Team Principal, while all trackside leadership duties previously held by Roberts will be transferred to Technical Director Francois-Xavier Demaison.

As well as this, Demaison will be in charge of technical aspects across the factory and at the race track.

Despite Roberts leaving the team, Capito was thankful for his contribution to the team.

“Simon has played an integral role in managing the transition over the last 12 months and I would like to thank him for his great contribution during that time,” said Capito.

Roberts explained it was an immense privilege to take on the role of Team Principal following on from Sir Frank and Claire Williams.

“It has been a pleasure to take on the role of Team Principal following the departure of the Williams family from the sport,” said Roberts.

“However, with the transition well underway I am looking forward to a new challenge and wish everyone in the team well for the future.”

Roberts joined Williams after a 17-year stint with fellow British outfit McLaren at which he was the operations director and then chief operating officer.

At this stage, it remains unclear what his future plans are.

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