Coincidence? Williams F1 Team Principal, Technical Director Leaving Team

Williams Formula 1 is without a team principal and a technical director after announcing the departure of Jost Capito and François-Xavier (FX) Demaison on Monday.

Capito joined Williams in December 2020, a few months after the team was purchased by American private investment firm Dorilton Capital, following four decades of ownership and management by the Williams family.

Capito initially held the role of CEO before adding team principal to his responsibilities in mid-2021.

Demaison joined as technical director ahead of the 2021 season, reuniting with Capito, with whom he worked at Volkswagen’s World Rally team in the mid-2010s.

Williams has struggled for performance in recent seasons and, having improved slightly to eighth overall in 2021, it dropped to the back of the grid again in 2022. It scored only eight points in 2022, courtesy of five top-10 finishes, as it finished last in the Constructors’ Championship for the fourth time in five years.

On Monday, Williams announced that Capito is "stepping aside" while Demaison "will leave his post," adding that replacements for both will be communicated in due course.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead Williams Racing for the last two seasons and to lay the foundations for the turnaround of this great team,” said Capito. I look forward to watching the team as it continues on its path to future success.”

Dorilton Capital chairman Matthew Savage lauded Capito’s “hard work and dedication as we embarked on a major transformation process to begin the journey of reviving Williams Racing.

“We’re grateful that Jost postponed his planned retirement to take on this challenge and now he will pass the reins on for the next part of this staged process.”

American driver and F2 graduate Logan Sargeant, who will step up to Formula 1 with Williams in 2023, thanked Capito for “having the trust and belief in me throughout my time in the academy and helping me on my path to Formula 1.

“He gave me an opportunity to show my potential and race in Formula 2. He has been a great team leader, and I wish him the best in whatever the future may hold.”