Bedford, Bedfordshire, England | 1953-06-11

Pat Symonds, born on June 11, 1953, in Bedford, England, is a highly regarded British engineer and Formula 1 strategist. With a background in engineering from Oxford Polytechnic, Symonds began his F1 career in the 1980s, initially with Toleman and Benetton. He played a crucial role in Benetton’s success, helping Michael Schumacher secure two world championships in the mid-1990s. Symonds later joined Renault, where he continued to demonstrate his expertise, helping Fernando Alonso win two consecutive drivers' titles in 2005 and 2006. His reputation as a top strategist and technical leader earned him subsequent roles with Virgin Racing (later Marussia) and Williams, where he served as Chief Technical Officer. In 2017, Symonds joined Formula 1’s technical team as Chief Technical Officer, working on long-term plans to improve the sport, including the 2022 regulations overhaul. His strategic mind and deep technical knowledge have made him an influential figure in Formula 1’s evolution and innovation.