Williams has announced the arrival of Jost Capito as its new chief executive officer, while Simon Roberts will stay on his role as team principal.
The Williams team underwent a changing of the guard during the 2020 season as the family-owned business was sold to Dorilton Capital to help safeguard the team’s future throughout difficult financial times. With Sir Frank Williams and daughter, Claire, moving away from the Formula 1 operation completely, Simon Roberts was installed as the acting team principal as part of the takeover by the US private investment firm.
But now Roberts has the job on a full-time basis and he also has a new boss to report to in the form of Jost Capito, who was an integral figure in Volkswagen’s successful World Rally Championship programme between 2013 and 2016. Capito did have a brief spell with McLaren before returning to Volkswagen, but is now back in Formula 1 as Williams’ new CEO.
“It’s a great honour for me to join Williams Racing during these exciting and demanding times for both the team and for Formula One,” Jost Capito said.
“It is an honour to be a part of the future of this storied team, and one that carries such a poignant name in the sport, so I approach this challenge with great respect and with a huge amount of relish.”
Matthew Savage, chairman of Dorilton Capital, added: :We are excited to welcome Jost Capito as the new CEO of Williams Racing.
“He is an experienced and competitive individual, who has built winning teams and is a winner in his own right.
“He understands the Williams heritage and will work well with the team in pursuit of our objective to return to the front of the grid.”
Williams will be hoping that they can continue to claw back some performance as they attempt to end what is now a three-year spell at the bottom of the Formula 1 pecking order.
