Williams Racing has announced that CEO and team principal Joost Capito and technical director François-Xavier Demaison are leaving the team.
The announcement by Williams came abruptly, with Joest Capito resigning after just two years and François-Xavier Doumaison joining the team in 2021.
“It has been a great privilege to lead Williams Racing over the last two seasons and lay the groundwork for the turnaround of this great team,” said Jost Capito.
“I look forward to continuing the team’s path to future success.”
Dorilton Capital Chairman Matthew Savage said: “We would like to thank Joest for his hard work and dedication as he embarked on a major transformational process to begin the journey to revive Williams Racing.
“We are grateful that Joest has postponed his planned retirement to take on this challenge. He will now take over the reins for the next part of this gradual process.”
“I would also like to thank François-Xavier for his contributions and wish him well in the future.”
Williams Racing said it would announce a new team principal and technical director “at the right time”.
Williams Racing’s statement portrays Jost Capito’s tenure as always temporary, but both are leaving the company in the wake of a potential deployment at Ferrari and Alfa Romeo/Sauber. You can’t help but associate it with an event.
The move of former Volkswagen Motorsport boss Joest Kapito could indicate an imminent nomination as Frédéric Vasseur’s successor at Audi/Sauber.
As for François-Xavier Demaison, having worked under Joost Capito’s orders at Volkswagen and then with Williams, going to Hinville together seems like a logical step.
