Williams announces major changes to its technical department, signing engineers from Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull

Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Formula One's Grove-based outfit, Williams have announced major changes to its organization by confirming a raft of new F1 technical department hires.

Williams Racing has announced the recruitment of five highly-experienced Formula 1 technical leaders and a new Chief Information and Analytics Officer as the British team continues to strengthen and transform in pursuit of success.

The new Chief Information and Analytics Officer (CIAO) will bring expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Data and has worked on projects to maximise simulation capabilities with F1 teams.

Williams noted that the new technical leaders will "add to the Championship-winning pedigree of Team Principal James Vowles and Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry, and are a further demonstration of the long-term investment being made on and off track by owners Dorilton Capital in pursuit of our mission to evolve and win further world titles."

Matt Harman will join Williams as Design Director, starting after the summer shutdown. Most recently Technical Director at Alpine, Harman has also worked at Renault, Mercedes and Mercedes’ powertrains division over a 24-year career in F1.

He worked on five Constructors’ and Drivers’ title-winning cars at Mercedes, in addition to the powertrains that took Lewis Hamilton to his first Drivers’ title with McLaren and Jenson Button’s Championship-winning Brawn.

Fabrice Moncade joins the team as Chief Engineer, Computing Science on July 1. Formerly Head of Performance Analytics at Ferrari, he has pioneered modern-day lap simulation in F1 and worked on two title-winning cars while at Mercedes. He has also worked at McLaren, Sauber and BMW Sauber during his 17 years in the sport.

Juan Molina arrives as Chief Aerodynamicist and starts on July 15. Previously Principal Aerodynamicist at Haas, he won three championship doubles during a spell with Red Bull and will report to Adam Kenyon who was promoted to Head of Aerodynamics in April.

Steve Winstanley is appointed Chief Engineer, Composites and Structures to lead and transform the structures department within the design office. He brings 22 years of F1 experience including 14 at Red Bull, where he was involved in six double-Championship-winning campaigns.

Richard Frith will also join Williams in 2025 as Head of Performance Systems. Formerly Head of Performance at Alpine, Richard has 25 years of experience in the sport including spells with Jordan, Force India, Sauber, Marussia and McLaren.

All five will form part of the technical team being led by Pat Fry, who joined Williams in November.

They are among 26 new recruits from other F1 teams who will join Williams over the course of the year, including several from Mercedes and Ferrari, four from Red Bull and 10 from Alpine. There has been a particular focus on strengthening the aerodynamics team, with 11 hires, and the design office with 13.

Their recruitment follows the recent announcement that Alex Albon has committed his future to Williams with a multi-year contract extension, and as the team prepares to enter the new F1 regulations era in 2026 with a long-term Mercedes power unit supply in place.

Commenting on the reorganisation, team boss James Vowles noted: “I am delighted to welcome these six incredible people to Williams. We are on a mission to fight our way back to the front and being able to attract experienced, Championship-winning talent from other teams demonstrates huge belief in the journey we are on.

"Williams is investing in what it takes to win, and this is just the start as we prepare to welcome more new faces from across the grid in the months ahead.”

Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry commented: “Williams Racing has bold ambitions and huge momentum, and these exceptional recruits show this is a project people want to be part of.

"We are adding strength in depth to the enormous talent already at Grove as we build for the future.”