Smedley's role at Williams to include longer term development

Williams' performance chief Rob Smedley will be broadening his role in 2017, which will include a handle on medium-to-long term development.

The man responsible for overseeing the Grove-based outfit's performance  at races admitted last year that after a few lean  years Williams required an outlook that extended beyond the medium term if it wanted to move up the running order.

And that is exactly what Smedley's broadening responsibilities will entail.

"I'll still straddle between design and aero," the 43-year-old engineer told Autosport.

"But I will not only look after at the short term - making sure the car runs and maximises its potential at the track and that we have a slick operation in terms of what we're doing with the racing team.

"I'll start to look at the more medium-to-long term development.  It's important that we start to concentrate a bit harder on that, in order that we're making steps into higher performance fields and not always trying to work at the same level . That will be a key part of what I'm doing."

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Williams is expected to welcome back former Mercedes tech boss Paddy Lowe in the coming months, a move which could further impact the team's overall structure and sharing of responsibilities, at the factory and at the race track.

"It's not entirely defined," Smedley added.

"That's not because we're disorganised but because we're trying to see how best the structure is going to fall out and where best to use everyone's talents.

"It will become clear, especially when the new car comes out, as a lot will depend where the biggest need is. I work for Williams, I'm passionate about this team, as I have been since I was a kid.

"I'm happy to be part of the ongoing rejuvenation of Williams and I want to see it through in whatever role that is in."

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