Pat Symonds to leave Williams F1

Williams Grand Prix Holdings have announced that Pat Symonds will be stepping down from the role of Chief Technical Officer of the Williams F1 Team at the end of 2016. Pat joined Williams towards the end of the 2013 Formula One season on a three-year contract.

During his time at Williams, he "has helped oversee a strong turn around in the team’s performances on the race track, with 14 podiums secured over the past three seasons. Pat will be departing on 31st December 2016".

Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal, said; “Pat has been a tremendous asset to this team over the past three years. Pat’s appointment was the start of a major restructuring exercise, and he has been pivotal in reshaping Williams into what is a much stronger racing team today. I would like to thank him for all of his hard work and commitment during that time. We now look to the future and will be announcing details regarding the team’s technical leadership in due course.”

Aged 63, it is currently unclear if Symonds will join another team or leave the sport altogether. Symonds has previously worked at the Benetton, Renault and Virgin Formula One teams.