Pat Symonds to step down as F1 Chief Technical Officer after seven years

In a shocking turn of events, Formula 1's Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds is set to leave his position after a notable seven-year tenure. Symonds, who joined the F1 organization in 2017, played a pivotal role in shaping the sport's technical regulations. 

His contributions have been instrumental in the development of the new ground-effect era cars introduced in 2022 and the upcoming cars set for 2026. Symonds' decision to step down comes as the chassis regulations for the 2026 cars are nearly finalized and scheduled for publication early next month. 

Despite no official announcement, F1 staff were informed of his departure on Monday, with Symonds immediately placed on gardening leave and many media platforms have reported it. This move has been anticipated for some time, as Symonds had been considering stepping down once the 2026 rules were completed. 

End of an era in F1! 

The timing appears ideal for the veteran engineer, who is nearing his 71st birthday, to transition away from the demanding day-to-day responsibilities of his role. A few years ago, Symonds contemplated retirement after finalizing the 2022 regulations but chose to stay on for the next regulatory phase.

Symonds' long and distinguished career in Formula 1 began at Toleman, which later evolved into Benetton. He was a key figure during Benetton's championship successes in the mid-1990s, working closely with legendary driver Michael Schumacher. 

His career took a controversial turn following the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix scandal, which led to his departure from Renault. However, he continued contributing to the sport through roles at Virgin and Williams before joining the F1 organization.

While his plans remain unclear, the fact that Symonds has been placed on gardening leave suggests he may not be retiring entirely and could be considering a move within the motorsport industry. His departure marks the end of a significant era for Formula 1's technical advancements, and his influence on the sport will be remembered for years.