Simon leaves FIA to join P.U.R.E as technical director
P.U.R.E. Corporation, the new F1 engine supplier, will welcome Gilles Simon into its team as Technical Director from 1 August 2011. Gilles Simon leaves his post as the FIA’s Director, Technical and Powertrain, and joins P.U.R.E. which will be supplying F1 teams with powertrains from the 2014 season when new engine regulations come into force.
Before the FIA, Gilles enjoyed an exceptional career at Scuderia Ferrari. From 2006-2009 he was Head of the Engine and Electronics Department; his other roles at Ferrari included Engine Project Manager (1994-1997) and Head of Engine Development (1997-2006) - both under the mentorship of the renowned Paolo Martinelli. During his tenure the team won six drivers’ and eight constructors’ FIA F1 World Championships.
After graduating with a PhD from l’Ecole des Mines in 1984, Gilles held positions at Renault in Research and Development and Peugeot, where he developed the V10 engine for the successful World Sportscar Championship, with the team achieving a 1-2-3 at Le Mans in 1993 and winning in 1992.
P.U.R.E. launched in May 2011 with the stated aim of developing high performance environmentally responsible powertrains, using F1 as the proving ground. The company was established by Chief Executive Craig Pollock, previously Founding Partner and Team Principal of F1’s B.A.R. team.
Craig Pollock, Chief Executive of P.U.R.E. comments, “This appointment marks another key milestone in the development of P.U.R.E. With Gilles Simon on board we have an exceptional and proven powertrain designer who has been instrumental in driving an environmentally friendly agenda into F1.”
Gilles Simon added, “Making F1 more environmentally friendly is a personal goal of mine. The 2014 powertrain regulations mark the biggest change in this area of F1 for a generation. This opportunity to develop the P.U.R.E powertrain is a fantastic challenge and allows me to go to back to my passion - designing engines.”
Jean Todt, President of the FIA said, "Gilles leaves the FIA with my thanks and best wishes. We have worked together on a variety of projects over many years, at Peugeot, Ferrari and at the FIA, and I know how much of his life has been devoted to his love of designing powetrains.
After a very fruitful 18-month period at the FIA where he has been able to leave a significant legacy in the 2014 powertrain regulations, Gilles has been offered an opportunity at P.U.R.E. that will enable him to make a substantial contribution to a new era in F1. I wish him a successful future."
