Mike Coughlan on Tuesday stepped down with immediate effect as the technical director of Formula One team Williams, and will be replaced by Pat Symonds.
Williams have collected zero points through nine races this season, which led to Coughlan relinquishing his post. He had been with the team since 2011 and technical director since last season.
Symonds will join Williams as chief technical officer starting August 19, after most recently serving as technical consultant for the Marussia team.
“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 One,” said Symonds.
During his 30-year F1 career, the 60-year-old Symonds has partnered with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso at Benetton and Renault and produced 32 race wins, four drivers’ world championships and three constructors’ titles.
