Rob Smedley: Difference between revisions

Rob Smedley
	At the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix
Personal information
Nationality	British
Born	28 November 1973 (age 50); Normanby, Middlesbrough, England
Sport
Country	United Kingdom
Sport	Formula One

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Robert Smedley (born 28 November 1973) is a British automotive engineer who works for the Formula One Group after several years working within the Williams, Ferrari and Jordan Formula One teams.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Biography

Smedley was born and lived in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, until he was 18. He attended St Peter's School in South Bank and St Mary's Sixth Form College. At Loughborough University, he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering followed by a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.^[4]^[5]

After leaving university, Smedley started work with Pilbeam Racing Designs, designing suspension elements used on the Peugeot 406 campaigned in the 1997 British Touring Car Championship. He went on to work on Formula 3000 cars and Williams touring cars before moving to Jordan Grand Prix at the start of 1999. At Jordan, he worked as a data acquisition engineer, responsible for telemetry data used by the team's race engineer and for the 2002 and 2003 seasons became a track engineer for the team. Before the 2004 Formula One season he moved to Ferrari where he initially worked in the test team.

In the middle of the 2006 season, he replaced Gabriele Delli Colli as Felipe Massa's race engineer. Almost immediately Massa's form improved; his previously common errors became less frequent,^[6] and in August 2006, Massa took his first Formula One pole position and victory at the Turkish Grand Prix. Smedley is noted for his very frank and occasionally humorous radio transmissions to Massa. This includes at the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix when he was heard clearly saying "Felipe baby, stay cool"^[3] after Massa was complaining about not having a clear visor for the wet race which was being restarted.^[7]

Following Massa's injury at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, Smedley carried on with the role of race engineer for stand-in drivers Luca Badoer and Giancarlo Fisichella as they took over Massa's seat for the remainder of the 2009 season. Smedley had previously worked with Fisichella at Jordan. Smedley was involved in an incident at the 2010 German Grand Prix in which the Ferrari team were found to have breached regulations regarding team orders. As Massa was in the lead of the race Smedley contacted him by radio and said "Fernando is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?", a thinly veiled instruction to allow Alonso to pass him to win, which Massa duly complied with. Following the pass on lap 49 Smedley added 'OK mate good lad, stick with him now, sorry.'^[8] After the race Ferrari were fined $100,000 for the team orders, but the result was allowed to stand.

Smedley continued as Massa's race engineer at Ferrari and moved to Williams when Massa joined them from the 2014 season, heading the team's trackside operations. Smedley left Williams at the end of the 2018 season, one year after Massa had left Formula One.^[9]

Smedley was awarded an honorary degree ("Doctor of Professional Studies") from Teesside University in 2009.^[10] In July 2015 he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Formula 1 and race engineering.^[11]

In 2020, Smedley started a low-cost racing series (Total Karting, formerly named Electroheads Motorsport) using electric karts, aimed at making motorsport more accessible to beginners.^[12]^[13]

Career summary

1997–1998: suspension engineer – Pilbeam Racing Designs
1999: engineer in the test team – Williams (BTCC)
2000: track engineer in Formula 3000
2001: data acquisition engineer – Jordan Grand Prix (F1)
2002–2003: track engineer – Jordan Grand Prix (F1)
2004–2005: engineer in the test team – Scuderia Ferrari (F1)
2006–2013: race engineer to Felipe Massa – Scuderia Ferrari (F1)
2014–2018: head of vehicle performance – Williams (F1)^[14]
2019–2020: expert technical consultant – Formula One Group^[15]
2020–2022: Director of Data Systems – Formula One Group^[16]
2020–present: Founder and Owner – Total Karting^[17] (formerly named Electroheads Motorsport)

Personal life

Smedley is married to Lucy. They have two sons. They hold fundraising events on Teesside to support the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) after the death of their daughter Minnie in 2007.^[18] They are also patrons of Zoe's Place Baby Hospice, a charity for sick babies and young children.

References

^ Galloway, James (25 July 2020). "F1's Rob Smedley launches affordable karting series to improve diversity". Sky News. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
^ "Williams confirm Rob Smedley won't join Massa". GMS Tees. GMS. 30 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
^ ^a ^b "Felipe baby, stay cool". BBC Tees. BBC. 30 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
^ "Rob's rise to the top of F1". Gazettelive.co.uk. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
^ "Rob Smedley's Profile". Thescuderia.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
^ "The enigma that is Felipe Massa". Itv-f1.com. 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
^ "Classic F1 – Button wins 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 April 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
^ "Formula 1 highlights – German Grand Prix". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
^ "Rob Smedley to leave Williams at the end of 2018 F1 season". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
^ Teesside University (4 November 2009). "Honours from the University of the Year". Tees.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
^ Loughborough University. "Two F1 engineers to be honoured at Loughborough graduation". lboro.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
^ "Rob Smedley on LinkedIn: Talent Academy engineered by Rob Smedley". www.linkedin.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
^ "Electroheads joins the Motorsport UK Karting Pathway". Motorsport UK. 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
^ "James Allen on Formula 1 website – Smedley finally makes Williams switch as head of vehicle performance". Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
^ "Rob Smedley to work alongside Formula 1 as expert consultant". F1. Formula One World Championship Limited. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
^ Smedley, Rob (16 March 2021). "Rob Smedley | LinkedIn".
^ Williams-Smith, Jake (13 January 2021). "Electroheads: The low-cost kart series with Rob Smedley as a mentor". Motor Sport Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
^ "Ferrari's secret F1 weapon (from Teesside)". BBC Tees. BBC. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2009.

[1] Galloway, James (25 July 2020). "F1's Rob Smedley launches affordable karting series to improve diversity". Sky News. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.

[autogenerated9-2] "Williams confirm Rob Smedley won't join Massa". GMS Tees. GMS. 30 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2009.

[autogenerated1-3] "Felipe baby, stay cool". BBC Tees. BBC. 30 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2009.

[4] "Rob's rise to the top of F1". Gazettelive.co.uk. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.

[5] "Rob Smedley's Profile". Thescuderia.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.

[6] "The enigma that is Felipe Massa". Itv-f1.com. 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2010.

[7] "Classic F1 – Button wins 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 April 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2011.

[8] "Formula 1 highlights – German Grand Prix". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 July 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2010.

[9] "Rob Smedley to leave Williams at the end of 2018 F1 season". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.

[10] Teesside University (4 November 2009). "Honours from the University of the Year". Tees.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2010.

[11] Loughborough University. "Two F1 engineers to be honoured at Loughborough graduation". lboro.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.

[12] "Rob Smedley on LinkedIn: Talent Academy engineered by Rob Smedley". www.linkedin.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2021.

[13] "Electroheads joins the Motorsport UK Karting Pathway". Motorsport UK. 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2021.

[14] "James Allen on Formula 1 website – Smedley finally makes Williams switch as head of vehicle performance". Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.

[15] "Rob Smedley to work alongside Formula 1 as expert consultant". F1. Formula One World Championship Limited. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.

[16] Smedley, Rob (16 March 2021). "Rob Smedley | LinkedIn".

[17] Williams-Smith, Jake (13 January 2021). "Electroheads: The low-cost kart series with Rob Smedley as a mentor". Motor Sport Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.

[18] "Ferrari's secret F1 weapon (from Teesside)". BBC Tees. BBC. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2009.

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-{{Short description|British motor racing engineer}}
+{{Short description|British motor racing engineer (born 1973)}}
 {{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
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-'''Rob Smedley''' (born 28 November 1973) is a British automotive engineer who works for the organizers of [[Formula One]] motor racing after several years working within the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]], [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] and [[Jordan Grand Prix|Jordan]] Formula One teams.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Galloway |first1=James |title=F1's Rob Smedley launches affordable karting series to improve diversity |url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12034789/f1s-rob-smedley-launches-affordable-karting-series-to-improve-diversity |website=Sky News |access-date=11 March 2021 |date=25 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated9">{{cite news|url=http://www.givemesport.com/422848-williams-confirm-rob-smedley-wont-join-massa|title=Williams confirm Rob Smedley won't join Massa|date=30 April 2009|publisher=GMS|work=GMS Tees|access-date=1 May 2009}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2009/04/30/rob_f1_feature.shtml|title=Felipe baby, stay cool|date=30 April 2009|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Tees|access-date=1 May 2009}}</ref>
+'''Robert Smedley''' (born 28 November 1973) is a British automotive engineer who works for the [[Formula One Group]] after several years working within the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]], [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] and [[Jordan Grand Prix|Jordan]] Formula One teams.<ref>{{cite web |last=Galloway |first=James |title=F1's Rob Smedley launches affordable karting series to improve diversity |url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12034789/f1s-rob-smedley-launches-affordable-karting-series-to-improve-diversity |website=Sky News |access-date=11 March 2021 |date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=20 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520194629/https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12034789/f1s-rob-smedley-launches-affordable-karting-series-to-improve-diversity |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated9">{{cite news|url=http://www.givemesport.com/422848-williams-confirm-rob-smedley-wont-join-massa|title=Williams confirm Rob Smedley won't join Massa|date=30 April 2009|publisher=GMS|work=GMS Tees|access-date=1 May 2009|archive-date=26 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126041811/http://www.givemesport.com/422848-williams-confirm-rob-smedley-wont-join-massa|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2009/04/30/rob_f1_feature.shtml|title=Felipe baby, stay cool|date=30 April 2009|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Tees|access-date=1 May 2009|archive-date=16 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816222014/http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2009/04/30/rob_f1_feature.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Biography==
-Smedley was born and lived in [[Normanby, Redcar and Cleveland|Normanby]], near Middlesborough, until he was 18. He attended St Peter's School in [[South Bank, Middlesbrough|South Bank]] and St Mary's Sixth Form College. At [[Loughborough University]] he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering followed by a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport/motorsport-news/2008/11/12/rob-s-rise-to-the-top-of-f1-84229-22239389/ |title=Rob's rise to the top of F1 |publisher=Gazettelive.co.uk |date=12 November 2008 |access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thescuderia.net/RobSmedleyprofile.shtml |title=Rob Smedley's Profile |publisher=Thescuderia.net |access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref>
+Smedley was born and lived in [[Normanby, Redcar and Cleveland|Normanby]], near Middlesbrough, until he was 18. He attended St Peter's School in [[South Bank, Redcar and Cleveland|South Bank]] and [[St Mary's College, Middlesbrough|St Mary's Sixth Form College]]. At [[Loughborough University]], he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering followed by a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport/motorsport-news/2008/11/12/rob-s-rise-to-the-top-of-f1-84229-22239389/ |title=Rob's rise to the top of F1 |publisher=Gazettelive.co.uk |date=12 November 2008 |access-date=4 October 2010 |archive-date=18 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218051843/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport/motorsport-news/2008/11/12/rob-s-rise-to-the-top-of-f1-84229-22239389/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thescuderia.net/RobSmedleyprofile.shtml |title=Rob Smedley's Profile |publisher=Thescuderia.net |access-date=4 October 2010 |archive-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723075332/http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/content.php/63-Rob-Smedley-Profile |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-After leaving university, Smedley started work with [[Pilbeam Racing Designs]], designing [[Suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] elements used on the Pilbeam MP80 project, the [[Peugeot]] 406 campaigned in the [[1997 British Touring Car Championship season|1997 British Touring Car Championship]]. He went on to work on [[International Formula 3000|Formula 3000]] cars and [[WilliamsF1#British Touring Car Championship|Williams]] touring cars before moving to [[Jordan Grand Prix]] at the start of 1999.
+After leaving university, Smedley started work with [[Pilbeam Racing Designs]], designing [[Suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] elements used on the [[Peugeot]] 406 campaigned in the [[1997 British Touring Car Championship season|1997 British Touring Car Championship]]. He went on to work on [[International Formula 3000|Formula 3000]] cars and [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering#British Touring Car Championship (1995–1999)|Williams]] touring cars before moving to [[Jordan Grand Prix]] at the start of 1999. At Jordan, he worked as a [[data acquisition]] engineer, responsible for [[telemetry]] data used by the team's race engineer and for the 2002 and 2003 seasons became a track engineer for the team. Before the [[2004 Formula One season]] he moved to [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] where he initially worked in the test team.
+In the middle of the 2006 season, he replaced Gabriele Delli Colli as [[Felipe Massa]]'s race engineer. Almost immediately Massa's form improved; his previously common errors became less frequent,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=Mark_Hughes&id=42505 |title=The enigma that is Felipe Massa |publisher=Itv-f1.com |date=5 May 2008 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222031230/http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=Mark_Hughes&id=42505 |archive-date=22 February 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and in August 2006, Massa took his first Formula One [[pole position]] and victory at the [[2006 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkish Grand Prix]]. Smedley is noted for his very frank and occasionally humorous radio transmissions to Massa. This includes at the [[2009 Malaysian Grand Prix]] when he was heard clearly saying "Felipe baby, stay cool"<ref name="autogenerated1"/> after Massa was complaining about not having a clear visor for the wet race which was being restarted.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7984339.stm|title=Classic F1 – Button wins 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|date=5 April 2010|access-date=15 May 2011|archive-date=11 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411125006/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7984339.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
-At Jordan he worked as a [[data acquisition]] engineer, responsible for [[telemetry]] data used by the team's race engineer and for the 2002 and 2003 seasons became a track engineer for the team. Before the [[2004 Formula One season]] he moved to [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] where he initially worked in the test team.
+Following Massa's injury at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, Smedley carried on with the role of race engineer for stand-in drivers [[Luca Badoer]] and [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] as they took over Massa's seat for the remainder of the [[2009 Formula One World Championship|2009 season]]. Smedley had previously worked with Fisichella at Jordan. Smedley was involved in an incident at the [[2010 German Grand Prix]] in which the Ferrari team were found to have breached regulations regarding [[team orders]]. As Massa was in the lead of the race Smedley contacted him by radio and said "[[Fernando Alonso|Fernando]] is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?", a thinly veiled instruction to allow Alonso to pass him to win, which Massa duly complied with. Following the pass on lap 49 Smedley added 'OK mate good lad, stick with him now, sorry.'<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8852908.stm|title=Formula 1 highlights – German Grand Prix|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|date=25 July 2010|access-date=29 July 2010}}</ref> After the race Ferrari were fined $100,000 for the team orders, but the result was allowed to stand.
-In the middle of the 2006 season, he replaced Gabriele Delli Colli as [[Felipe Massa]]'s race engineer. Almost immediately Massa's form improved; his previously common errors became less frequent,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=Mark_Hughes&id=42505 |title=The enigma that is Felipe Massa |publisher=Itv-f1.com |date=5 May 2008 |access-date=4 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222031230/http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=Mark_Hughes&id=42505 |archive-date=22 February 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and in August 2006, Massa took his first Formula One [[pole position]] and victory at the [[2006 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkish Grand Prix]]. Smedley is noted for his very frank and occasionally humorous radio transmissions to Massa. This includes at the [[2009 Malaysian Grand Prix]] when he was heard clearly saying "Felipe baby, stay cool"<ref name="autogenerated1"/> after Massa was complaining about not having a clear visor for the wet race which was being restarted.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7984339.stm |title=Classic F1 – Button wins 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix |work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|date=5 April 2010|access-date=15 May 2011}}</ref>
+Smedley continued as Massa's race engineer at Ferrari and moved to Williams when Massa joined them from the 2014 season, heading the team's trackside operations. Smedley left Williams at the end of the 2018 season, one year after Massa had left Formula One.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/139858/smedley-to-leave-williams-at-the-end-of-2018|title=Rob Smedley to leave Williams at the end of 2018 F1 season|date=5 November 2018 |access-date=5 November 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106132139/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/139858/smedley-to-leave-williams-at-the-end-of-2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Following Massa's injury at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, Smedley carried on with the role of race engineer for stand-in drivers [[Luca Badoer]] and [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] as they took over Massa's seat for the remainder of the [[2009 Formula One season|2009 season]]. Smedley had previously worked with Fisichella at Jordan.
+Smedley was awarded an honorary degree ("Doctor of Professional Studies") from [[Teesside University]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |author=Teesside University |url=http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/news/pressreleases_story.cfm?story_id=3207&this_issue_title=November%202009&this_issue=198/ |title=Honours from the University of the Year |publisher=Tees.ac.uk |date=4 November 2009 |access-date=4 October 2010 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622074743/http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/news/pressreleases_story.cfm?story_id=3207 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2015 he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Technology from [[Loughborough University]] in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Formula 1 and race engineering.<ref>{{cite web | author=Loughborough University | url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2015/july/135-honorary-grads.html | title=Two F1 engineers to be honoured at Loughborough graduation | publisher=lboro.ac.uk | access-date=15 July 2015 | archive-date=16 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716054347/http://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2015/july/135-honorary-grads.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
-Smedley was involved in an incident at the [[2010 German Grand Prix]] in which the Ferrari team were found to have breached regulations regarding [[team orders]]. As Massa was in the lead of the race Smedley contacted him by radio and said "[[Fernando Alonso|Fernando]] is faster than you. Can you confirm you understood that message?", a thinly veiled instruction to allow Alonso to pass him to win, which Massa duly complied with. Following the pass on lap 49 Smedley added 'OK mate good lad, stick with him now, sorry.'<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8852908.stm|title=Formula 1 highlights – German Grand Prix|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|date=25 July 2010|access-date=29 July 2010}}</ref> After the race Ferrari were fined $100,000 for the team orders, but the result was allowed to stand.
+In 2020, Smedley started a low-cost racing series (Total Karting, formerly named Electroheads Motorsport) using electric karts, aimed at making motorsport more accessible to beginners.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rob Smedley on LinkedIn: Talent Academy engineered by Rob Smedley|url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rob-smedley_talent-academy-engineered-by-rob-smedley-activity-6773555757100134400-W6o5|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.linkedin.com|language=en|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409104010/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rob-smedley_talent-academy-engineered-by-rob-smedley-activity-6773555757100134400-W6o5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-21|title=Electroheads joins the Motorsport UK Karting Pathway|url=https://www.motorsportuk.org/electroheads-joins-the-motorsport-uk-karting-pathway/|access-date=2021-03-16|website=Motorsport UK|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022201512/https://www.motorsportuk.org/electroheads-joins-the-motorsport-uk-karting-pathway/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Smedley continued as Massa's race engineer at Ferrari and moved to Williams when Massa joined them from the 2014 season, heading the team's trackside operations. Rob Smedley left Williams at the end of the 2018 season, one year after Massa had left Formula One.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/139858/smedley-to-leave-williams-at-the-end-of-2018|title=Rob Smedley to leave Williams at the end of 2018 F1 season|access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref>
-Smedley was awarded an honorary degree ("Doctor of Professional Studies") from [[Teesside University]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=Teesside University |url=http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/news/pressreleases_story.cfm?story_id=3207&this_issue_title=November%202009&this_issue=198/ |title=Honours from the University of the Year |publisher=Tees.ac.uk |date=4 November 2009 |access-date=4 October 2010}}</ref> In July 2015 he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Technology from [[Loughborough University]] in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Formula 1 and race engineering.<ref>{{cite web | author=Loughborough University | url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2015/july/135-honorary-grads.html | title=Two F1 engineers to be honoured at Loughborough graduation |publisher=lboro.ac.uk}}</ref>
-In 2020 Smedley started a low cost racing series using electric karts, aimed at making motorsport more accessible to beginners.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rob Smedley on LinkedIn: Talent Academy engineered by Rob Smedley|url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rob-smedley_talent-academy-engineered-by-rob-smedley-activity-6773555757100134400-W6o5|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.linkedin.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-21|title=Electroheads joins the Motorsport UK Karting Pathway|url=https://www.motorsportuk.org/electroheads-joins-the-motorsport-uk-karting-pathway/|access-date=2021-03-16|website=Motorsport UK|language=en-GB}}</ref>
 ==Career summary==
-*1997–1998: suspension engineer –  Pilbeam Racing Designs
+*1997–1998: suspension engineer – Pilbeam Racing Designs
-*1999: engineer in the test team – [[WilliamsF1#British Touring Car Championship|Williams]] (BTCC)
+*1999: engineer in the test team – [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering#British Touring Car Championship (1995–1999)|Williams]] (BTCC)
 *2000: track engineer in [[International Formula 3000|Formula 3000]]
 *2001: data acquisition engineer – [[Jordan Grand Prix]] (F1)
 *2002–2003: track engineer – Jordan Grand Prix (F1)
 *2004–2005: engineer in the test team – [[Scuderia Ferrari]] (F1)
-*2006–2013: race engineer to Felipe Massa – Scuderia Ferrari (F1)
+*2006–2013: race engineer to [[Felipe Massa]] – Scuderia Ferrari (F1)
-*2014–2018: head of vehicle performance – Williams (F1)<ref>[http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/02/smedley-finally-makes-williams-switch-as-head-of-vehicle-performance/   James Allen on Formula 1 website – Smedley finally makes Williams switch as head of vehicle performance.]</ref>
+*2014–2018: head of vehicle performance – [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering#British Touring Car Championship (1995–1999)|Williams]] (F1)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/02/smedley-finally-makes-williams-switch-as-head-of-vehicle-performance/ |title=James Allen on Formula 1 website – Smedley finally makes Williams switch as head of vehicle performance. |access-date=18 May 2014 |archive-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505102501/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/02/smedley-finally-makes-williams-switch-as-head-of-vehicle-performance/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-*2019–2020: expert technical consultant – [[Formula One Group]]<ref>https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.rob-smedley-to-work-alongside-formula-1-as-expert-consultant.51LCVzKdquRr1UG6qRTXwX.html</ref>
+*2019–2020: expert technical consultant – [[Formula One Group]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Rob Smedley to work alongside Formula 1 as expert consultant |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.rob-smedley-to-work-alongside-formula-1-as-expert-consultant.51LCVzKdquRr1UG6qRTXwX.html |website=F1 |publisher=Formula One World Championship Limited |access-date=24 March 2021 |date=15 February 2019 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225113323/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.rob-smedley-to-work-alongside-formula-1-as-expert-consultant.51LCVzKdquRr1UG6qRTXwX.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
-*2020–present: Director of Data Systems – [[Formula One Group]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smedley|first=Rob|date=16 March 2021|title=Rob Smedley {{!}} LinkedIn|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-smedley/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+*2020–2022: Director of Data Systems – Formula One Group<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smedley|first=Rob|date=16 March 2021|title=Rob Smedley {{!}} LinkedIn|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-smedley/ }}</ref>
-*2020–present: Founder and Owner – [https://electroheadsmotorsport.com Electroheads Motorsport]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-13|title=Electroheads: The low-cost kart series with Rob Smedley as a mentor|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/karting/electroheads-the-low-cost-kart-series-with-rob-smedley-as-a-mentor|access-date=2021-03-16|website=Motor Sport Magazine|language=en-GB}}</ref>
+*2020–present: Founder and Owner – [https://totalkartingmotorsport.com Total Karting]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams-Smith |first=Jake |date=2021-01-13 |title=Electroheads: The low-cost kart series with Rob Smedley as a mentor |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/karting/electroheads-the-low-cost-kart-series-with-rob-smedley-as-a-mentor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423201328/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/karting/electroheads-the-low-cost-kart-series-with-rob-smedley-as-a-mentor |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> (formerly named Electroheads Motorsport)
 ==Personal life==
-Smedley is married to Lucy. They have 2 sons. They hold fundraising events on Teesside to support the [[Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society]] (SANDS) after the death of their daughter Minnie in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2008/09/30/rob_smedley_feature.shtml|title=Ferrari's secret F1 weapon (from Teesside)|date=30 September 2008|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Tees|access-date=1 May 2009}}</ref> They are also patrons of [[Zöe's Place Baby Hospice]], a charity for sick babies and young children.
+Smedley is married to Lucy. They have two sons. They hold fundraising events on Teesside to support the [[Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society]] (SANDS) after the death of their daughter Minnie in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2008/09/30/rob_smedley_feature.shtml|title=Ferrari's secret F1 weapon (from Teesside)|date=30 September 2008|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Tees|access-date=1 May 2009|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804124221/http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/articles/2008/09/30/rob_smedley_feature.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> They are also patrons of [[Zoe's Place Baby Hospice]], a charity for sick babies and young children.
 ==References==
@@ Line 69: / Line 65: @@
 [[Category:English expatriates in Italy]]
 [[Category:People from Middlesbrough]]
+[[Category:People from Redcar and Cleveland]]
+[[Category:Williams Grand Prix Engineering]]

v t e Williams Grand Prix Engineering
Founders	Frank Williams Patrick Head
Team Principal	James Vowles
Current personnel	Jenson Button (Senior Advisor) Willy Rampf Dave Redding Sven Smeets
Former personnel	Ross Brawn Loïc Bigois Jost Capito Jock Clear Mike Coughlan François-Xavier Demaison Frank Dernie Dirk de Beer Jonathan Eddolls Gavin Fisher Mark Gillan [ja] Eghbal Hamidy Patrick Head Ravin Jain Simon Lacey Werner Laurenz Paddy Lowe Tom McCullough John McQuilliam Sam Michael Matt Morris Rod Nelson Adrian Newey Steve Nielsen Tim Newton Neil Oatley Adam Parr Heinz Paschen Tim Preston Xevi Pujolar Sergio Rinland Simon Roberts Paul Rosche Enrique Scalabroni Rob Smedley Jason Somerville Dickie Stanford Dave Stubbs Pat Symonds Antonia Terzi Jon Tomlinson Claire Williams Frank Williams Geoff Willis Craig Wilson [ja] Toto Wolff Ed Wood Jörg Zander
Race drivers	23. Alexander Albon 43. Franco Colapinto
Driver academy	Franco Colapinto Jamie Chadwick Zak O'Sullivan Oliver Gray Luke Browning Oleksandr Bondarev
World Champions	Alan Jones Keke Rosberg Nelson Piquet Nigel Mansell Alain Prost Damon Hill Jacques Villeneuve
Former drivers	See category
Drivers' titles	1980 1982 1987 1992 1993 1996 1997
Constructors' titles	1980 1981 1986 1987 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997
Race winners	Clay Regazzoni Alan Jones Carlos Reutemann Keke Rosberg Nigel Mansell Nelson Piquet Thierry Boutsen Riccardo Patrese Alain Prost Damon Hill David Coulthard Jacques Villeneuve Heinz-Harald Frentzen Ralf Schumacher Juan Pablo Montoya Pastor Maldonado
Formula One cars	FW06 FW07 FW07B FW07C FW08 FW08C FW09 FW09B FW10 FW10B FW11 FW11B FW12 FW12C FW13 FW13B FW14 FW14B FW15C FW16 FW16B FW17 FW17B FW18 FW19 FW20 FW21 FW22 FW23 FW24 FW25 FW26 FW27 FW28 FW29 FW30 FW31 FW32 FW33 FW34 FW35 FW36 FW37 FW38 FW40 FW41 FW42 FW43 FW43B FW44 FW45 FW46
Formula Two cars	JPH1 JPH1B
Le Mans prototypes	BMW V12 LM BMW V12 LMR
Rally cars	Metro 6R4
Touring cars	Renault Laguna (BTCC)