Following rumours that Williams have already signed a new technical director, the Grove-based team have addressed the matter after being approached by PlanetF1.com.
Williams team principal James Vowles has been in no rush to sign a new technical director since joining the British team, despite the side being in need of one.
The team’s former technical director F.X. Demaison followed ex-team boss Jost Capito out of the exit door at the end of the 2022 season, prior to Vowles making the switch.
Vowles certainly hasn’t rushed the process of hiring a replacement for Demaison, with the Williams boss being keen to find the ideal individual for the position.
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He’s keen to sign somebody who will fit into the team’s long-term goals, as they look to cement themselves as a midfield team once again, rather than a backmarker.
They’ve certainly been a midfield team this weekend at the British Grand Prix, as both Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant progressed to Q2.
Albon actually made it all the way to Q3, where he claimed eighth on the grid at the Silverstone International Circuit.
Williams’ recent upgrades have certainly improved the FW45 considerably, to the extent where Albon featured in the leading trio in each practice session at the outfit’s home race.
Interestingly, it’s been rumoured in the paddock at Silverstone that Vowles has already signed a new technical director for the team, in the form of ex-Renault technical director Nick Chester.
It’s been reported that Chester is leading the technical department at the team’s Grove base, something Williams have neither confirmed nor denied after being approached by PlanetF1.com.
“We are actively recruiting for a number of senior positions,” said the spokesperson, as reported by PlanetF1.com.
“We will take our time to find the right people for the open roles. We do not comment on rumours on specific people.”
Chester’s professional social media profile does interestingly state that he’s working for a “top-tier motorsport team” in Banbury in the UK, where Avalanche Andretti Formula E are based.
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It’s understood that he’s been working for Andretti ahead of their potential F1 entry, which they’re planning for 2025 following approval from the FIA.
The bulk of Chester’s F1 career has been spent at Enstone, where he was Lotus’ race engineer, before he succeeded Mercedes’ James Allison as technical director between 2013 to 2019.
Chester recently worked for the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team as their technical director from mid-2020; however, the team left the championship following the conclusion of the 2021/22 season.