Williams Reshuffles Engineering Department, Hires Dave Robson As Felipe Massa’s New Race Engineer

One of the world's leading Formula One, or F1, teams, Williams, has carried out a reshuffle in its engineering department ahead of the 2015 FIA F1 World Championship season. The changes in Williams' Race Operations involve the promotion of current employees and recruitment of talented and competent individuals into the team.

Williams has announced via a statement posted on its official website three key promotions ahead of the 2015 season. Felipe Massa's former race engineer Andrew Murdoch has been promoted to senior performance engineer. In his new task, Murdoch will be in the forefront of the Performance Group at Williams' factory, creating new procedures and methods within the engineering team, improving the sound quality of their cars all throughout the season. Murdoch will remain part of the trackside team, especially paying particular attention to Valterri Bottas' car.

Carl Gaden, who joined Williams in 1988 as a Chief Mechanic on the Race Team, has been promoted to Senior Car Systems Engineer. Mark Pattinson, who worked as Number 1 Mechanic to Massa, will take over Gaden's Chief Mechanic role.

Taking over Murdoch's role as Massa's Race Engineer is Dave Robson, who previously worked as a race engineer for McLaren's Jenson Button. Robson will be working under the supervision of Head of Vehicle Performance Rob Smedley. Jonathan Eddolls will remain in his post as Bottas' race engineer.

"Off the back of a great 2014 campaign, Williams is determined to continue this positive momentum into the new season, and these recent changes show our commitment to that goal," Williams' Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds said of the latest changes. "We are proud to be able to promote our existing talent to help strengthen every area within our engineering team and we will continue to invest in new talent where necessary to ensure we have the support and resources to achieve our on-track ambitions throughout 2015 and beyond."

In other news, British racing driver Susie Wolff will be Williams' test driver for the 2015 season. Wolff will test Williams' new car FW37 at a Barcelona preseason test in February. Williams ended its 2014 season ranked third overall. Massa and Bottas will continue to be the race drivers for the team who will be on a quest to challenge the 2014 champions Mercedes, in the upcoming season.

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