Patrick Head leaves Williams F1 after 34 years of service

Perhaps it’s the current slump, but many forget that Williams is the third most successful team in Formula 1, behind only Ferrari and McLaren. The team had it’s worst ever year in 2011, finishing the season with just five points, and last of the established teams. It’s with this background that Williams director of engineering and legend Patrick Head is leaving the team after 34 years of service.

Head has stepped down from the outfit’s board of directors with immediate effect. He will from now focus on the company’s thriving hybrid business and will remain a board director of Williams Hybrid Power Limited.

“Patrick and I have been in partnership for 34 years. During that time, he has been the leader of the technical team that has won the majority of our race wins and championships. This is a remarkable legacy and one which will be treasured and definitely not forgotten.,” said founder and friend Frank Williams.

“Patrick is a very straightforward, hard working and truly gifted engineer who comfortably operates at a world class level. I will miss him very much, as I am sure his colleagues will, and he will always be welcome at Grove. Indeed, Patrick will still be seen around the factory as he continues to be involved in the development of our hybrid power activities,” he added.

In the glory days of the 1980s and ’90s, Head drove the team’s engineering department to win 113 grands prix, seven drivers world championships and nine constructors’ titles for Williams. As Frank said, a remarkable legacy.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 03 Jan 12 02:39:34 +0000.

Related Posts

1. E90 BMW 3-Series now with 5 years / 100,000 km thanks to extended BMW Service + Repair Inclusive package
2. Williams dumps Cosworth for Renault engines from 2012
3. Big shakeup at Williams: Tech director Sam Michael and aero man Jon Tomlinson out, Spygate’s Mike Coughlan in
4. Williams F1 Team listed on Frankfurt stock exchange
5. Williams F1 team may list on the stock exchange!
6. Nico Hulkenberg leaves Williams, shopping for a seat now
7. Chief engineer Pat Fry leaves McLaren after 17 years
8. Danica Patrick quashes F1 rumours for good; commits long term to Indy
9. US GPE considering to take up Danica Patrick
10. All-American USF1 drivers to be Scott Speed and Danica Patrick?

Link to full article