Since Dorilton Capital took over the team and brought in new funds, Williams has accelerated its investments to enhance the team, particularly in critical areas where it lagged behind its competitors.
The first step was implementing an ERP system, a software tool for managing all components in the factory. While this may seem basic, all other teams have had it for years, often integrated with artificial intelligence, but Williams only acquired it in 2023.
This system is crucial, not just for monitoring the condition of all car components but also for guiding the team’s development path.
Williams has focused on two main areas: strengthening its staff and upgrading its facilities. On the personnel front, the team has hired new engineers from other teams, including notable names like Pat Fry and Matt Harman from Alpine, Fabrice Moncade from Ferrari for data analysis, and chief engineer Angelos Tsiaparas from Red Bull.
On the facilities side, a new simulator will be operational this year—a necessary upgrade, especially as other teams also ramp up their infrastructure. Alpine, for instance, has acquired a new simulator for the next technical cycle, Sauber is investing in preparation for Audi’s entry, and Racing Bulls is moving to Milton Keynes to utilize Red Bull’s new facilities by 2026. Haas, through its partnership with Toyota, has unlocked new funding for a simulator and plans to move to a larger factory.
Given the ground Williams needed to make up, the team pushed for higher CapEx (capital expenditure) outside the budget cap to renew its facilities compared to the top teams.
The simulator is one of several areas Williams is investing in—a field that nearly all teams have recently focused on to leverage advancements in hardware. While software can be updated freely, hardware eventually faces limitations that require upgrading to reduce latency and enhance processing capabilities, providing a simulation that closely reflects real-world track conditions.
Williams’ current simulator is outdated, which is why the Grove team has decided to invest in a new one. It will be operational by 2025, following a calibration phase. This investment is particularly important for the 2026 technical regulations, as it will provide a valuable tool for Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, the latter having already used Ferrari’s new simulator.
Williams has also added a new driver specifically for simulator development: Oliver Turvey, who was recruited from McLaren after 15 years with the Woking team.
Turvey’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy as he has experience with McLaren’s state-of-the-art simulator, introduced in 2023. Having a driver with his expertise in cutting-edge simulator technology could prove invaluable for Williams, providing critical insights for its development efforts.
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