Williams appoints Simon Roberts as new Managing Director F1

The ROKiT Williams F1 team has announced a major alteration to their operational structure by appointing Simon Roberts as their new Managing Director.

Roberts will join the British squad on June 1st, taking responsibility for F1 Technical, Operations and Planning functions and will report to Mike O’Driscoll, Chief Executive Director of the team.

Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal of ROKiT Williams Racing welcomed the wealth of experience and know-how Roberts will bring to the Grove-based outfit.

“Simon will bring enormous experience and knowledge to the Williams team, and we are delighted that he is joining us when we head back to work after this long enforced F1 shutdown. He will lead a highly talented team that’s looking forward to designing and developing the next generation of Williams F1 cars,” she said.

Roberts started working in Formula 1 in 2003 when he joined McLaren Racing where he took on the role of Operations Director and General Manager. Robert was seconded to the Force India outfit six years later, working as Chief Operating Officer. Just a year later in 2010, he returned to McLaren as Operations Manager. In 2017, the Woking-based outfit appointed him Chief Operations Officer.

Prior to his F1 commitments, Roberts held several key positions in engineer companies. He started his career with Perkins Engines where he worked his way up the ladder through several senior appointments. After leaving Peterborough-based company, he joined BMW/Rover Group, leading several engineering and operational departments. In 2000, he joined Alstom Group where he worked as Industrial Managing Director until he started his career in Formula 1.