Williams’ Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds is to leave the team at the end of 2016, with Paddy Lowe expected to be his replacement.
Symonds joined Williams in 2013 after returning to the sport following the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix crash-gate scandal, that saw Nelson Piquet Jr purposely crash to allow Fernando Alonso to take the race victory.
Since Symonds joined Williams, the team has enjoyed 14 podiums and finished third in the constructors’ championship in 2014, their best result in a decade.
“Pat has been a tremendous asset to this team over the past three years,” said deputy team principal, Claire Williams.
“Pat’s appointment was the start of a major restructuring exercise, and he has been pivotal in reshaping Williams into what is a much stronger racing team today. I would like to thank him for all of his hard work and commitment during that time.
“We now look to the future and will be announcing details regarding the team’s technical leadership in due course.”
Mercedes’ technical chief Paddy Lowe has been strongly linked to the Williams team, while his move would also make way for former Ferrari technical James Allison to join Mercedes in 2017, who is rumoured to return to F1.