Jost Capito takes over from Simon Roberts as Williams team principal

Williams has announced that it has named Jost Capito as its new team principal after an internal restructuring of positions.

Capito joined Williams as CEO from Volkswagen last year but will now move into the team principal role, taking over the post from Simon Roberts who’d held the position following the Williams family’s F1 departure in 2020.

With Capito taking over from Roberts, he will combine the role with his position of chief executive officer at the team while recent hire Francois-Xavier Demaison will absorb trackside leadership duties with his existing factory commitments.

The changes in structure come after Capito’s first five months with the team.

“Simon has played an integral role in managing the transition over the last 12 months and I would like to thank him for his great contribution during that time,” said Capito.

Roberts held the position of team principal after Claire Williams vacated the role after Dorilton Captial’s acquisition of the team in August of last year.

Following the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, the Williams family ended its tenureship of the iconic outfit Sir Frank Williams founded in 1977.

“It has been a pleasure to take on the role of Team Principal following the departure of the Williams family from the sport,” Roberts said.

“However, with the transition well underway I am looking forward to a new challenge and wish everyone in the team well for the future.”