Legendary designer and engineer Patrick Head has returned to the Williams Formula 1 team as a consultant.

Now 72, Head oversaw much of Williams’ success throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and was knighted for his services to motorsport in 2015.

“We can confirm that Sir Patrick Head is currently offering some support to our engineering team on a short-term consultancy basis,” the team confirmed in a short statement.

A co-owner in the team founded with Frank Williams in 1977, Head has remained a minority shareholder in the outfit.

In 2004 he became Director of Engineering, leaving Sam Michael to step into the Technical Director role, before finally resigning his position with the team in 2012.

His return to the team comes as the world championship winning team languishes at the back of the grid with an uncompetitive car.

It also follows news that Paddy Lowe has taken leave from the team, which missed the opening two days of pre-season testing.

Even at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix Robert Kubica has admitted that he and team-mate George Russell will need to avoid the kerbs for fear of damaging the car, as spares are scarce.

Head will not take up a formal role with the team, which will be assumed by existing staff.