Patrick Head has departed the Williams F1 team entirely, the team confirmed in a statement on Saturday, with the former co-owner of the operation stepping down from the board of directors with immediate effect.
Head had already announced plans to leave the day-to-day running of the team at the end of the 2011 season, with the former technical boss set to work on the Williams hybrid power operation instead.And Saturday's announcement confirmed that he will leave the team completely, after stepping down from the board.
Head will continue to work as a director at the Williams Hybrid Power Limited company, which was established to help develop their planned flywheel hybrid system from the 2009 F1 season.
In the statement, team boss Sir Frank Williams took time to thank his former co-owner for the work he had put in down the years.
"Patrick and I have been in partnership for 34 years. During that time, he has been the leader of the technical team that has won the majority of our race wins and championships," Williams rambled.
"This is a remarkable legacy and one which will be treasured and definitely not forgotten."
He added: "Patrick is a very straightforward, hard working and truly gifted engineer who comfortably operates at a world class level.
"I will miss him very much, as I am sure his colleagues will, and he will always be welcome at Grove. Indeed, Patrick will still be seen around the factory as he continues to be involved in the development of our hybrid power activities."
He established Williams Grand Prix Engineering with Sir Frank Williams back in 1977, and the team quickly became competitive in the sport.
The team went on to win a total of 16 drivers and constructors titles between 1980 and 1997, as they dominated the sport throughout the two decades.
But the team has fallen on hard times recently, failing to win a race since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Last season represented the team's worst in their F1 history, scoring just five championship points throughout the year in a performance that precipitated a wholesale technical clearout.
Head will leave the team in the wake of that clearout, which has seen former McLaren man Mike Coughlan recruited, amongst others, to spearhead their fightback in 2012.
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