Williams Snags Ex-Mercedes Maestro as New Chief Engineer
Williams has lured Dan Milner from Mercedes, adding a seasoned touch to their engineering helm. After a 14-year stint with the Silver Arrows, Milner is set to accelerate Williams' journey back to the F1 spotlight.
Hold onto your helmets, folks—Williams has pulled off a daring coup in the F1 engineering universe. Dan Milner, the long-serving Mercedes sage, has swapped the Silver Arrows for the historic blue of Williams, taking on the role of chief engineer of vehicle technology. With the ink barely dry on his contract, Milner's mission is clear: supercharge the team’s car development programs and steer Williams back to the front of the grid.
Fresh out of a three-month sabbatical known as 'gardening leave,' Milner wasted no time jumping into his new role on Wednesday. This veteran comes with an impressive 14-year tenure at Mercedes, where he recently wielded the title of chief engineer of research and development. His résumé is a veritable highlight reel, including stints in power unit and chassis integration, and a headship in transmission design. His engineering roots dig deep, tracing back to the Brackley days of Brawn GP and Honda Racing.
At Williams, Milner will lend his expertise to Matt Harman, the technical director, and Pat Fry, the chief technical officer. "After two decades planted at Brackley, it's time to rev up a fresh challenge," Milner enthused. "Williams has a crystal-clear, bold blueprint to forge ahead, and I'm thrilled to inject my know-how to boost that trajectory."
Matt Harman, not one to mince words, sang Milner's praises, "Dan’s a treasure trove of vast experience and decisive leadership. He’s been the driving force behind major R&D and powertrain projects, and he’s a maestro at galvanizing teams for success."
Intriguingly, Milner's engineering prowess extends beyond the racetrack. He also captained the design group for INEOS Britannia in the 2021 and 2022 America’s Cup, proving that his engineering acumen transcends genres.
Given Williams' ambitious plan to reclaim its former glory, Milner's addition might just be the turbo boost they need. As he settles into his new office at Grove, there’s no doubt that this engineer is ready to turn blueprints into podiums.