Williams has strengthened its Formula 1 leadership operation with the appointment of long-term MꦐcLaren engineer Simon Roberts as its new🍰 managing director.

Roberts will tak﷽e overall responsibility for the design and development process in the newly-established position at Williams, as well as overseeing planning, racing and factory operations.

He will join the British outfit🌠 on June 1, reporting directly to CEO Mike O’Driscol🐻l.

Roberts previously worked at McLaren as operations director and general manager upon his arrival at Woking in 2003. Having spent a year on loan as Fo♕rce India’s Chief Operating Officer in 2009, he returned to McLaren as operations director before being appointed COO in 2017.

Deputy team principal Claire Williꦦ🎶ams said: “Simon will bring enormous experience and knowledge to the Williams team, and we are delighted that he is joining us when we head back to work after this long enforced F1 shutdown.

“He will lead a highly talented team that’s looking forward to designing anꦚd developing the next generation of Williams F1 ✃cars.”

The signing comes as a boost to Williams following its꧃ struggles during a dire 2019 campaign that was hampered by a late start to pre-sea✱son due to car production delays.

Williams’ problems led t🙈o Paddy Lowe’s departure from the team, as well a thorough investigation of all areas of the team to establish exactly what went wrongไ.

The British squad wܫent on to finish bottom of the constructors' championship, managing just one point from 21 races. 

Williams said her side needed to hit “rock bottom” in 2019💟 in order to recover from its nightm🌠are season but insisted earlier this year a repeat cannot happen again.