New Williams owner Dorilton Capital has appointed the team’s managing director Simon Roberts as acting team principal while it works to recruit a long-term successor to Frank and Claire Williams.
The team announced ahead of the Italian Grand Prix weekend that the Williams family would be moving on following the sale of the team, with Dorilton Capital installing a new three-man board of directors.
Roberts has taken on the team principal role on an interim basis to see Williams through the ongoing transition period under the new owner. He has taken up the role with immediate effect and will attend this weekend’s Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello in that capacity.
“I am delighted to be announced as acting team principal for Williams during this transitional period,” said Roberts.
“It is an exciting time ahead for the team, a new era for Williams and one that I am excited to be playing a part in.
“I look forward to the challenge ahead as we look to take the team back to the front of the grid.”
The well-respected Roberts began work at Williams at the start of June, having been recruited to “take overall responsibility for the design and development process, racing, factory operations and planning”, according to the team’s original announcement.
Having previously worked for Perkins Engines, BMW/Rover Group and Alstom Group, Roberts started his F1 career in 2003 with McLaren as operations director and, from 2017 until he left to join Williams, chief operating officer.
He also spent 2009 on secondment to the Force India team as CEO as part of its technical partnership with McLaren.
He is a logical interim appointment by new owners Dorilton Capital as he knows both Williams and F1 as a whole and is understood to have had a positive impact on the team since joining earlier this year. He also has experience of being a public-facing member of the leadership of F1 teams.
The Roberts appointment will give Dorilton Capital time to evaluate potential candidates to take on the role full-time now that Frank and Claire Williams have stepped down as team principal and deputy team principal respectively.
Dorilton Capital is understood to be aiming to recruit someone with a well-proven CV as team principal given the seismic change following four decades of Williams family leadership, with Roberts seen as the ideal candidate to maintain stability and keep things team on track in the interim.
Mike O’Driscoll to retire
The team also announced earlier today that chief executive officer Mike O’Driscoll intends to retire later this year once Williams has completed its ongoing transition period to the ownership of Dorilton Capital.
Automotive industry stalwart O’Driscoll joined Williams as a non-executive director in 2011 and played a key role in its IPO [initial public offering] on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
He became CEO in June 2013 and worked closely with Claire Williams. But his eventual departure was expected after he was replaced on the board of directors.
“It has been and remains a huge privilege to be part of this great team,” said O’Driscoll.
“I am proud to have played my part in securing the long-term future of Williams and look forward to working closely with Matthew [Savage] and his team, to ensure a smooth transition and the best possible trajectory for the team’s future success.”
Savage paid tribute to O’Driscoll’s contribution to the team over the past nine years.
“Mike has made a huge contribution as CEO, working alongside the Williams family since the IPO in 2011,” said Savage.
“He has steered the corporate side of the group admirably through challenging times and has been invaluable in preparing Williams for the next exciting phase.”
