Atlassian Williams has appointed key staff members from the McLaren Mastercard, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, and BWT Alpine Formula 1 teams to roles focused on AI and aerodynamics.
Piers Thynne joins from McLaren as the team’s new Chief Optimisation and Planning Officer, a new role that will see him lead the transformation of manufacturing and operations at the team.
With more than 25 years of operations and manufacturing leadership experience, Thynne will be responsible for streamlining processes and optimising resources.
Williams also says his role will encompass deploying cutting-edge technology, including robotics, AI, and advanced manufacturing, to modernise the team’s ageing facilities.
“I am delighted to be joining Williams at what is a really exciting moment,” said Thynne.
“Williams has a clear ambition to be championship level in all areas and set new standards in the sport, and I can’t wait to play my part in that as a member of the senior leadership group.”
Key figureheads join from Mercedes and Alpine
Also joining Williams are two key members from Mercedes, including Claire Simpson, who has been appointed as Head of Aerodynamic Development.
Simpson has been part of Mercedes for the last 12 years, progressing to Group Leader and playing a role in the team that won eight Constructors’ Championships.
The new role at Williams will see Simpson work closely with Chief Aerodynamicist Juan Molina, bolstering the team’s aerodynamics department.
Also joining From Mercedes is Fred Judd as the team’s new Head of Performance Optimisation, who previously worked as part of their High Performance Powertrains engine division for 17 years.
Judd will provide expert technical leadership to the Williams’ Performance Systems Optimisation team, which has been built over the past 15 months.
Steve Booth joins as Head of Vehicle Engineering, overseeing the day-to-day technical and people requirements of car design. He previously served as Chief Engineer at Alpine across the 2022 and 2026 regulation changes.
With more than 20 years of experience in F1, Booth was part of the Enstone squad that secured two Constructors’ titles with Fernando Alonso at Renault in 2005 and 2006.
“I am thrilled to be welcoming Piers to Williams as we continue investing in the people, processes and technology to compete at the front in F1,” said James Vowles, Team Principal.
We are clear in our ambition to build a team that can win World Championships, and Piers has unrivalled recent experience in doing exactly that.
“I am also delighted to welcome Claire, Fred and Steve – we are attracting extremely talented strategic recruits from throughout the paddock who will add to the foundations we have already put in place over the past few years and help take us to the next level.”
