The Marussia F1 team announced today, (16 July 2013) that their Technical Consultant Pat Symonds has been released off his responsibilities to the team with immediate effect.

At the same time Williams F1 announced that Mike Coughlan has stepped down from his role as Technical Director at the Grove based team and Pat Symonds will take up the role as Chief Technical Offier at Williams, effective from 19 August 2013.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Marussia F1 Team over the course of the past two and a half seasons. The Team has developed immeasurably during that time and it now has all the right people and resources in place to achieve great things in the future. I wish the Team the success it so richly deserves.” said Symonds.

“I’m delighted that Pat is joining the team. His technical capabilities and sporting successes speak for themselves and I’m sure that his knowledge and leadership will contribute considerably to the success that all of us at Williams are working hard to achieve.” said Williams founder, Sir Frank Williams about appointing Pat Symonds.

Symonds who brought success to the Benetton and Renault, and with his partnership with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso that produced 32 race wins, 4 Drivers’ World Championships and 3 Constructors’ World Championships, had this to say about Williams F1; “Williams is a team steeped in success and engineering excellence and I’m honoured to be asked to play a role in returning the team to its rightful place at the pinnacle of Formula One.