Formula One: Williams split with head of aero after troubled start to F1 2018
Thu May 31, 2018 10:08:am Sports
6.8K By Obiaks Blog
Williams have parted company with their head of aerodynamics after a troubled start to the 2018 Formula 1 season.
The team say that Dirk De Beer had stepped down with immediate effect, little over a year after the former Ferrari and Renault aerodynamicist started working at Grove.
De Beer's exit follows that of former chief designer Ed Wood, who left the team for personal reasons earlier in May.
Doug McKiernan, who joined Williams in February, will now assume responsibility for the aerodynamic and design direction of the team's struggling FW41 car, with Dave Wheater appointed head of aerodynamics.
Williams' reshuffle comes as the team look to turn around their season after making their worst start to a campaign since 2013.
The nine-time constructors' champions, fifth-place finishers in each of the last two seasons, currently prop up the teams' standings with Lance Stroll's eighth-place finish in Azerbaijan their only points-scoring result after six rounds.
Stroll and team-mate Sergey Sirokin finished last weekend's Monaco GP in 17th and 16th positions respectively, although the Russian had qualified 13th.
Williams believe they now understand the reasons for the FW41's struggles with chief technical officer Paddy Lowe confirming they have initiated a 'recovery programme' which they hope will bear fruit by the mid-point of the season.
SKYSPORTS
The team say that Dirk De Beer had stepped down with immediate effect, little over a year after the former Ferrari and Renault aerodynamicist started working at Grove.
De Beer's exit follows that of former chief designer Ed Wood, who left the team for personal reasons earlier in May.
Doug McKiernan, who joined Williams in February, will now assume responsibility for the aerodynamic and design direction of the team's struggling FW41 car, with Dave Wheater appointed head of aerodynamics.
Williams' reshuffle comes as the team look to turn around their season after making their worst start to a campaign since 2013.
The nine-time constructors' champions, fifth-place finishers in each of the last two seasons, currently prop up the teams' standings with Lance Stroll's eighth-place finish in Azerbaijan their only points-scoring result after six rounds.
Stroll and team-mate Sergey Sirokin finished last weekend's Monaco GP in 17th and 16th positions respectively, although the Russian had qualified 13th.
Williams believe they now understand the reasons for the FW41's struggles with chief technical officer Paddy Lowe confirming they have initiated a 'recovery programme' which they hope will bear fruit by the mid-point of the season.
SKYSPORTS
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