Williams Acting Team Principal Roberts tests positive for Covid-19

Williams Racing has confirmed that that its Acting Team Principal Simon Roberts has tested positive for COVID-19 prior to travelling to Istanbul for this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix.

Roberts returned a negative test on Monday during the team’s regular COVID testing schedule, however after displaying minor symptoms he underwent a further test this morning which returned a positive result. Despite feeling well, he will isolate for the required 10-day period as per UK national guidelines.

At this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix, his role will be taken over by Dave Redding, Team Manager, and Chief Engineer of Vehicle Design, Adam Carter. As he has not been in close contact with any other member of the Williams’ race team, the team will continue to operate trackside as planned.

Roberts joined Williams in May 2020 as their new Managing Director and became the Grove-based team’s Acting Team Principal in September after the team’s new owner Dorilton Capitals set up the team’s new structure.

The Briton started working in Formula 1 in 2003 when he joined McLaren Racing where he took on the role of Operations Director and General Manager. Roberts 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.