Mike Coughlan has stepped down from his role as Technical Director of Williams with Pat Symonds set to take over as Chief Technical Officer next month.
The 60-year-old who has been working as a consultant for the Marussia Formula One team since 2011 has only recently been allowed to attend Grand Prix’s again following his five-year ban from the sport following the ‘crash-gate’ scandal involving Renault in 2008.
Symonds and then Renault team boss Flavio Briatore were found guilty of ordering Nelson Piquet Jr to deliberately crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, a move that engineered the opportunity for then Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso to win the race.
His appointment with the Williams team is rumoured to be part of a larger management reshuffle.
‘Williams is a team steeped in success and engineering excellence and I’m honoured to be asked to play a role in returning the team to its rightful place at the pinnacle of Formula 1, Sir Frank, Mike and Claire have put in place the foundations for success and I’m immensely excited to begin this new challenge. Symonds said to Sky Sports.
Team Principal Sir Frank Williams added: ‘I’m delighted that Pat is joining the team. His technical capabilities and sporting successes speak for themselves and I’m sure that his knowledge and leadership will contribute considerably to the success that all of us at Williams are working hard to achieve.’
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