Autosportfoto

Williams recruits Spagnolo to bolster engineering side

Williams has taken on former Ferrari engineer Antonio Spagnolo for the remainder of the 2016 F1 World Championship and onwards as Competitor Analysis and Performance Concept Team Leader.

The British team is locked in a battle for fourth in the F1 constructors' championship with Force India and reclaimed the place with positive results at Monza last weekend.

Spagnolo joins Williams from Ferrari, where he departs from the role of Head of Tyre Performance Group, having previously acted as race engineer for Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso at the Italian manufacturer.

Spagnolo joined Ferrari in 2005 and helped it to two Constructors' titles in 2007 and 2008 along with Kimi Raikkonen's driver title in 2007.

Williams says Spagnolo's role will focus around 'augmenting car performance', looking at its rivals' strengths and where the team needs to improve. With his experience in engineering with the Pirelli F1 tyres he will also become part of the squad's tyre performance group.

"Williams is determined to continue the positive momentum it has had since 2014 and, with new additions to the team, hopes to become even stronger," Symonds said. "We are constantly seeing ways to improve our performance and trackside operations and believe Antonio will make a valuable contribution to this process.

"As a team, we will do our utmost to achieve our on-track ambitions and secure strong positions in the Constructors' Championship this season, and beyond."

Zdroj: crash.net