Ahead of the 2026 F1 Canadian GP, Williams F1 welcomes Piers Thynne from McLaren, who will join the team in August as Chief Optimisation and Planning Officer. At McLaren, his role as Chief Operating Officer played an important part in the team’s transformation as it worked towards two consecutive Constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025.
However, upon joining Williams, Thynne takes on a newly created role that will see him lead the team’s manufacturing and operations on a long-term basis. With more than 25 years of experience, he brings significant value to the team, which has been rebuilding its senior leadership and operational structure since Team Principal James Vowles joined the organisation.
Williams F1 welcomes three new senior technical leaders alongside Thynne
Speaking about his arrival, Thynne said: “I am delighted to be joining Atlassian Williams F1 Team at what is a really exciting moment. Williams has clear ambition to be championship level in all areas and set new standards in the sport, and I can’t wait to play my part in that as a member of the senior leadership group. I have enjoyed a fantastic time at McLaren, helping bring the team back to the top, and hope we will be able to do the same at Williams.”
Alongside Thynne, the team welcomes three new senior technical leaders, including Claire Simpson and Fred Judd—both arriving from Mercedes—as well as Steve Booth, who joins from Alpine.
After a twelve-year tenure with the German manufacturer, Simpson joins the team as its new Head of Aerodynamic Development, while Judd will serve as the Grove-based team’s new Head of Performance Optimisation. And Booth will fill the role of Head of Vehicle Engineering.
As rebuilding the team is at the forefront of Vowles’ goals, the arrival of these senior technical staff demonstrates their commitment to bringing experience to the team.
Vowles “thrilled” to be welcoming new talent
When Vowles joined the organisation ahead of the 2023 F1 season, he has been vocal about his ambitions to rebuild the team and continues to drive the project forwards. Having come from Mercedes himself, Vowles brings experience from working within a championship-winning organisation.
Welcoming the new senior technical leaders to the team, he shared his excitement about bringing in further senior personnel as the team continues to work towards its long-term goals.
“I am thrilled to be welcoming Piers to Atlassian Williams F1 Team as we continue investing in the people, processes and technology to compete at the front in Formula 1. We are clear in our ambition to build a team that can win World Championships, and Piers has unrivalled recent experience in doing exactly that.
“I am also delighted to welcome Claire, Fred and Steve – we are attracting extremely talented strategic recruits from throughout the paddock who will add to the foundations we have already put in place over the past few years and help take us to the next level.”
