Williams opens up its F1 tech to the wider industry
Williams is launching a company house to apply the cutting-edge innovation and development technologies developed for Formula One for engineering challenges in other sectors.
Williams Grand Prix Technologies sit alongside Williams Racing, also owned by Dorilton Capital, and will be based at the team’s technology campus in Grove, UK. IT is looking to apply its engineering experience to wider motorsport, premium automotive, aerospace, defence, marine, energy, sport and lifestyle.
Racing in Formula 1 involves a fast development cycle, taking a car from concept to competition in less than 12 months. Williams Racing is one of the most successful teams in F1 history, with nine Constructors’ Championships, seven Drivers’ Championships and 114 race wins.
Clients will be able to draw on the resources, assets, skillsets and technologies as well as the FI supply chain for simulation intelligence and data engineering. This includes platform dynamics; advanced materials; simulation and modelling; instrument and data analytics and high performance computing.
Sitting alongside these core engineering services is a range of in-house prototype testing and evaluation resources that include: wind tunnel; driver-in-the-loop simulator; single-axis testing machines; 8-post rig; chassis rig; other testing rigs and bedplate testing. Whilst originally developed for the purposes of the race team, these capabilities and assets have far wider applicability which the new company will harness.
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Prior to the establishment of Williams Grand Prix Technologies in 2024, Williams also had other business interests beyond F1 racing. Williams owned a majority stake in Williams Hybrid Power Limited and also established Williams Advanced Engineering. Williams Hybrid Power was sold to GKN in March 2014 and Williams Advanced Engineering was sold to Fortescue in February 2022.
“Williams Grand Prix Technologies offers a unique mix of engineering experience, expertise and capabilities to solve customer problems and we have already received significant interest from a diverse set of clients even before launch,” said Matthew Savage, Chairman at Williams Grand Prix Engineering.
“We will be using skills and assets that have been established, developed and refined over five decades of competing at the highest level of motor racing on a global stage, which is a unique pedigree that only Williams can offer. Being part of the wider Dorilton group of companies also allow Williams Grand Prix Technologies to offer services from across the group to further enhance the technologies and services available to the customer.”
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