RacingWilliams has hired longtime Mercedes engineer Dan Milner to lead a new vehicle technology department, and one of his first jobs is to help bring transmission and hydraulics work back in-house. That makes this more than a senior technical signing. It goes straight at one of the clearest signs of Williams’ reliance on Mercedes.
Milner joins Williams as Chief Engineer–Vehicle Technology after 20 years associated with Brackley, spanning the Honda, Brawn and Mercedes eras. Williams said in its announcement that he contributed in senior technical leadership roles to multiple world championships, including eight straight constructors’ titles. Over nearly 14 years with Mercedes, he moved from simulation and design jobs into senior leadership roles, including six years leading powertrain integration and transmission design, before becoming chief engineer for R&D.
At Williams, his department will run alongside the main car programmes rather than being locked to the 2026 FW48 or next season’s design. According to the team’s description of the role, Milner will develop base technology that can be introduced when it is ready, instead of trying to force it into Formula 1’s yearly design cycle. Williams said that work will cover hardware, simulation, test and quality, with links back into the car programmes so ideas can be turned into performance on track.
The part that stands out most is the plan for transmission and hydraulics. According to the source material, Williams wants to return those areas to internal production instead of continuing to take them from Mercedes under a customer agreement that has been in place since the start of the hybrid era in 2014. That is a bigger job than simply changing a supplier. It adds complexity to the way the car is designed and built, but it also gives the team more control over its own technology.
Milner said he saw the move as the right time for a new challenge. “I’m thrilled to be joining Williams as Chief Engineer across Vehicle Technology,” Milner said, as newly appointed Williams Chief Engineer–Vehicle Technology in remarks released at the time of his appointment. “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.”
Matt Harman made clear that Williams sees this as part of a longer rebuild, not a quick fix for one car cycle. “Dan brings broad experience and clear leadership,” Harman said, as Williams technical director in comments released with the appointment announcement. “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.”
That is the real point of the hire. Williams is not just adding experience from Mercedes. It is creating a technical function built to strengthen its own foundations over time, with Milner now leading one of the hardest parts of that job.