Williams announced a list of top technical hires from rival Formula 1 teams, including Matt Harman who was previously technical director at Renault-owned Alpine.
Harman will join after the August shutdown as design director while Richard Frith, also ex-Alpine, arrives next year as head of performance systems. Both will report to chief technical officer Pat Fry, an F1 veteran who joined Williams from Alpine last November.
Fabrice Moncade is joining as chief engineer next week after a previous stint at Ferrari while Juan Molina arrives from Haas on July 15 as chief aerodynamicist. Steve Winstanley, who spent 14 years with Red Bull, has been appointed chief engineer, composites and structures.
Williams said they formed part of a group of 26 new recruits joining over the course of the year, including 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," the team said in a statement released on Thursday at Red Bull Ring, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
Team Principal James Vowles stated: “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.
“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," added Vowles.
Williams have not won a Grand Prix since 2012
Fry added: “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.”
The former F1 world champions, who last won a race in 2012 and a championship in 1997, are currently ninth in the standings with two points from 10 races.
They recently extended the contract of Thai driver Alex Albon and have made an ambitious approach to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who is handing over his seat to Lewis Hamilton at the end of the year.
Extracts from the team statement:
- Matt Harman will join Williams as Design Director, starting after the summer shutdown. Most recently Technical Director at Alpine, Matt 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.
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