Steve Nielsen joins Williams F1 team after leaving Toro Rosso

Nielsen left his previous role as sporting director at Toro Rosso last week, having been at the Italian squad for two years following a period at Caterham.

"I'm delighted to be joining a team of Williams' history and stature in what is a very exciting time for everyone at Grove after a very impressive 2014 season," he said.

"In this role I will be able to help ensure that our operations at the racetrack are maintaining the highest standards and that we are maximising our performance at the racetrack from a sporting perspective.

"Williams has a very talented team of people and I'm looking forward to working with them."

Nielsen has held a variety of senior roles at F1 teams through a long career in the sport, including stints as team manager at Tyrrell and Arrows, and as sporting director at Benetton/Renault.

Williams's chief technical officer Pat Symonds said his wealth of top-level experience made Nielsen a wise signing.

"Steve brings a wealth of experience of the sporting side of Formula 1 and will help us as a team as we aim to climb further up the championship table," said Symonds.

"He has won world championships in the past and knows what needs to be done on a sporting level for Williams to do this again.

"We have a talented and ever improving race team and with Steve on board we are well placed to make further operational gains next season."

Nielsen is the latest in a long list of major new recruits by Williams, following Symonds and ex-Ferrari man Rob Smedley's moves to the team, which took a massive step forward in 2014 and secured third in the constructors' championship.