Williams have today announced two new appointments to the team as they continue the ongoing shake-up of their technical department.
Jason Somerville is appointed to the role of Head of Aerodynamics and Mark Gillan becomes Chief Operations Engineer. Both will work with new Chief Engineer Mike Coughlan on the team’s current race car and on next year’s FW34.
Somerville, who begins his new role on 15th August, joined the company in 1997, first on sports cars for Williams and BMW, and then joining the F1 team in 1999. He moved to Toyota in 2003 and then switched to Renault when the Japanese car company pulled out of the sport. He played a significant role in the design of the innovative R31.
Gillan began his F1 career at McLaren in 1998 and then moved to the Jaguar F1 team in 2002. He left the team that is now Red Bull at the start of the 2005 season to move into academia and then moved to Toyota. At the end of his contract that, Gillan moved back to the University of Surrey as Professor of Vehicle Engineering.
Williams made it known today that they are grateful to both Somerville and Gillan’s current employers for their co-operation in enabling a smooth transition for both new recruits into their roles with the team.
“Williams F1 is looking forward to welcoming Jason and Mark to the team,” said Sir Frank Williams. “They bring with them talent, experience and good team skills. We now feel that, together with Mike Coughlan, Jason and Mark can form the right technical leadership to take the team forward as we work our way back to the front of the grid.”
