Williams poach top McLaren figure alongside three key new arrivals

Thynne built up extensive experience during a lengthy spell at McLaren, working his way through several key operational and management roles within the team. He first joined the Woking-based outfit as Gearbox Programme Manager in 2007, a position he held for five years before being promoted to Head of Programme Management in 2012.

After four years in that role, he stepped up again in 2017 as Head of Programme and Operational Logistics, overseeing increasingly important areas of the team’s day-to-day structure and race operations. His rise through the organisation continued with promotions to Production Director in 2019 and Operations Director in 2021, before eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2023.

Speaking about his move to Williams, Thynne described the project as an extremely exciting opportunity, praising the team’s clear ambition to return to championship-winning level across every area of the organisation. The Briton said he is eager to contribute as part of the senior leadership group and help drive the next phase of the team’s rebuilding process.

Commenting on the latest appointments, Williams team principal James Vowles expressed great enthusiasm over the arrival of Piers Thynne, describing the move as another important step in the team’s ongoing investment into personnel, infrastructure and technology as part of its long-term ambition to return to the front of Formula 1.

Williams’ restructuring project has not stopped with the arrival of Thynne alone, as the Grove-based outfit continues to strengthen its senior leadership with several high-profile additions from across the paddock. Claire Simpson has been appointed Head of Aerodynamic Development after a 12-year spell at Mercedes, while Fred Judd joins as Head of Performance Optimisation following 17 years at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in multiple engineering roles.

Meanwhile, Steve Booth has arrived from Alpine to take over as Head of Vehicle Engineering, having previously worked as Chief Engineer through both the 2022 and upcoming 2026 regulation eras. With more than two decades of Formula 1 experience, Booth was also part of the Renault team that claimed consecutive Constructors’ Championships in 2005 and 2006.