McLaren's long-time F1 tester leaves to join Williams
Highly-regarded long-serving McLaren Formula 1 test driver Oliver Turvey has joined Williams instead in a similar role ahead of the 2025 season
A highly-regarded long-serving McLaren Formula 1 test driver has joined Williams instead in a similar role ahead of the 2025 season.
Now 37, Briton Oliver Turvey first became a McLaren test and development driver over a decade ago.
His once-promising career on the F1 ladder had fizzled out by then, but he remained a major fixture of McLaren's development work behind the scenes through changes in regulations cycles, team leadership and engine supplies - and represented the team in various official F1 tests.
In the same period, he took an LMP2 win at the Le Mans 24 Hours with the Jota team (drafted in last-second to replace Marc Gene due to the latter's Audi call-up) and carved out a respectable career in Formula E - albeit largely in backmarking machinery, until full-time opportunities dried up.
Turvey will combine his new role at Williams, supporting race drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, with his continued gig as the reserve driver at Formula E's DS Penske outfit.
"I have long admired Williams and watching Damon Hill win the world championship for them is a moment that inspired me as I began my own racing career in karting," said Turvey in Williams's announcement - which is notable as F1 teams don't always, or even often, publicly disclose test/simulator driver hires, meaning Williams clearly sees Turvey as something of a coup.
"The ambition and determination driving this project are incredibly inspiring, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead to help bring the team back to the top.
"It is a privilege to work alongside Alex and Carlos, who I consider two of the best drivers in F1."
Turvey was already team-mates with Sainz at McLaren, and his role at Williams will "include developing [its] state-of-the-art new driver-in-loop simulator" which will go online later in 2025.
"He brings a vast amount of experience and expertise that will be invaluable to our progression as we continue to strengthen the team across the board," said Williams sporting director Sven Smeets.
Turvey will work alongside Williams's established simulator driver Harrison Scott.
The 28-year-old Scott was a two-time British Formula Ford runner-up (in its final two seasons before it was effectively replaced by what is now British F4) and a particularly dominant champion of the Formula 3-level Euroformula Open series - but has been inactive in international racing for the past half-decade.
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