Rob White (Formula One)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Rob" White is a Formula One
engineer from England. As of 2011, he is deputy managing director (technical) at Renault Sport F1
.
, North Yorkshire
. After leaving school White worked for Jaguar Cars, who agreed to sponsor him to take a mechanical engineering course at Southampton University. White graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1987. Upon graduating, White responded to an advert from Cosworth Racing Limited
and was hired as a development engineer for their IndyCar
project, working under Chief Engineer Steve Miller.
In 1990, White was promoted to the position of senior development engineer. In 1993 he moved to California
, USA as track support manager for Cosworth USA.
In 1997, White returned to England and worked as chief engineer on Cosworth's Formula One. In 2003, three years before Ford left Formula One and a year before Cosworth was sold to Kevin Kalkhoven
, White left Cosworth. The following year he moved to the Renault F1
team to act as engine technical director alongside Bob Bell (chassis technical director).
In April 2005, White was promoted to deputy managing director of the engine operations at Renault F1
, following the departure of Bernard Dudot. This meant moving to Renault's engine department located in Viry-Châtillon
, France. At the time of his appointment, White did not speak French
despite being required to lead a predominately French workforce. He also retained his roles as technical director.
Today, he continues working in the engine factory at Viry, now called Renault Sport F1.
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
engineer from England. As of 2011, he is deputy managing director (technical) at Renault Sport F1
Renault Sport F1
Renault Sport F1 is the current incarnation of Renault's involvement in Formula 1. It was born at the end of 2010, when the carmaker sold the 25 per cent final share property from its Enstone-based team, Renault F1, to major stockholder Genii Capital but kept for itself the control of its...
.
Profile
Born in CamblesforthCamblesforth
Camblesforth is a village and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,526...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
. After leaving school White worked for Jaguar Cars, who agreed to sponsor him to take a mechanical engineering course at Southampton University. White graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1987. Upon graduating, White responded to an advert from Cosworth Racing Limited
Cosworth
Cosworth is a high performance engineering company founded in London in 1958, specialising in engines and electronics for automobile racing , mainstream automotive and defence industries...
and was hired as a development engineer for their IndyCar
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
project, working under Chief Engineer Steve Miller.
In 1990, White was promoted to the position of senior development engineer. In 1993 he moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA as track support manager for Cosworth USA.
In 1997, White returned to England and worked as chief engineer on Cosworth's Formula One. In 2003, three years before Ford left Formula One and a year before Cosworth was sold to Kevin Kalkhoven
Kevin Kalkhoven
Kevin Oscar Newton Kalkoven, former CEO of JDS Uniphase, is an Australian venture capitalist and auto racing magnate based in Menlo Park, California. He is a partner in the Kalkhoven, Pettit, Levin and Johnson Venture capital firm based in Menlo Park....
, White left Cosworth. The following year he moved to the Renault F1
Renault F1
Lotus Renault GP, formerly the Renault F1 Team, is a British Formula One racing team. The Oxfordshire-based team can trace its roots back through the Benetton team of the late 1980s and 1990s to the Toleman team of the early 1980s. Renault had also competed in various forms since , before taking...
team to act as engine technical director alongside Bob Bell (chassis technical director).
In April 2005, White was promoted to deputy managing director of the engine operations at Renault F1
Renault F1
Lotus Renault GP, formerly the Renault F1 Team, is a British Formula One racing team. The Oxfordshire-based team can trace its roots back through the Benetton team of the late 1980s and 1990s to the Toleman team of the early 1980s. Renault had also competed in various forms since , before taking...
, following the departure of Bernard Dudot. This meant moving to Renault's engine department located in Viry-Châtillon
Viry-Châtillon
Viry-Châtillon is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.Inhabitants of Viry-Châtillon are known as Castelvirois.-Transport:Viry-Châtillon is served by Viry-Châtillon station on Paris RER line D....
, France. At the time of his appointment, White did not speak French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
despite being required to lead a predominately French workforce. He also retained his roles as technical director.
Today, he continues working in the engine factory at Viry, now called Renault Sport F1.