Williams has strengthened its technical leadership with the appointment of former Mercedes senior engineer Dan Milner as Chief Engineer for Vehicle Technology, marking a significant addition to the Grove team’s ongoing rebuild.
Milner joins Williams F1 Team after a 20‑year association with the Brackley organisation, spanning the Honda, Brawn GP, and Mercedes-AMG Petronas eras, and arrives with deep experience across powertrains, R&D, and championship‑winning engineering structures.
Milner spent 14 years at Mercedes, contributing to multiple World Championships, including the team’s run of eight consecutive Constructors’ titles.
His career progression at Brackley took him from simulation and design roles into senior leadership, including six years heading powertrain integration and transmission design.
Most recently, he served as Chief Engineer for R&D, leading multidisciplinary development and test programmes. His technical background also extends beyond Formula One, with senior design roles in the America’s Cup for Ineos Britannia and work in the defence sector.
At Williams, Milner will take responsibility for Vehicle Technology, a role that places him at the centre of the team’s push to accelerate development cycles and convert engineering innovation into consistent on‑track performance.
His remit spans hardware, simulation, testing, and quality, with a mandate to strengthen integration between technical departments and ensure that ideas move rapidly from concept to race‑ready solutions.
The appointment aligns with Williams’ broader restructuring under Technical Director Matt Harman and Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry, as the team continues its long‑term effort to return to the front of the grid.
Milner expressed enthusiasm for the challenge ahead, saying: “I’m thrilled to be joining Atlassian Williams F1 Team as Chief Engineer across Vehicle Technology. After 20 years of association with Brackley, it’s the right moment to take on a new challenge.
“Williams has a clear, ambitious plan to move forward, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and knowledge to help accelerate that journey. I can’t wait to meet the team, learn the organisation and get to work converting ideas into performance on track.”
Technical Director Matt Harman emphasised the strategic importance of the hire, noting Milner’s proven ability to lead complex engineering programmes: “Dan brings broad experience and clear leadership. He has led major programmes across R&D and powertrains, turning ideas into performance, and he knows how to bring teams together to deliver.
“Dan will be central to our vehicle technology plan and to converting innovation into consistent performance gains on track, so we’re thrilled to have him on board as we continue our plans of bringing Atlassian Williams F1 Team back to the front of the grid.”
Milner’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Williams, which has struggled in recent seasons and is seeking to rebuild its competitive foundation ahead of the 2026 regulations.
His blend of championship‑level experience, systems integration expertise, and leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams positions him as a key figure in the team’s next phase of development. With Williams aiming to re‑establish itself as a consistent midfield force — and ultimately a frontrunner — Milner’s appointment signals both ambition and a commitment to deep technical renewal.
