- Williams
Williams appoints Nielsen as sporting manager
Williams has appointed former Toro Rosso chief Steve Nielsen as its sporting manager.
Nielsen left his previous role as sporting director at Toro Rosso last week, where he had been since 2013. His new role at Williams will give him responsibility for the overall management and operation of its race team.
Nielsen, whose career in F1 includes stints as team manager at Tyrrell and Arrows and as sporting director at Benetton/Renault, is aiming to build on Williams' success in 2014.
"I'm delighted to be joining a team of Williams' history and stature in what is a very exciting time for everyone at Grove after a very impressive 2014 season," Nielsen said. "In this role I will be able to help ensure that our operations at the race track are maintaining the highest standards and that we are maximising our performance at the race track from a sporting perspective. Williams' has a very talented team of people and I'm looking forward to working with them."
Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds said Nielsen's wealth of experience made the appointment an important one for Williams.
Symonds said: "Steve brings a wealth of experience of the sporting side of Formula One and will help us as a team as we aim to climb further up the Championship table. He has won World Championships in the past and knows what needs to be done on a sporting level for Williams to do this again. We have a talented and ever improving race team and with Steve on board we are well placed to make further operational gains next season."
Nielsen is the latest major recruit for Williams, with Symonds and Rob Smedley moving into new roles this year, helping the team take a big step forward in 2014.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
