Started his F1 career with Renault in 1984, before joining rivals Peugeot in 1988, to work on the V10 engine for their sportscar effort. When Jean Todt moved to Ferrari, Simon followed his colleague and worked on the engine and electronics side of the team, eventually taking full control of that department in 2006. In 2009, he joined the FIA to look at renewable energy efficient engine development which then led him to a role at Craig Pollock's PURE F1 engine effort. After a spell with Honda's engine programme, Gilles returned to the FIA in 2017 to become their technical director, with a remit of advancing technology to allow the FIA affliated series develop accordingly, amongst other duties. In 2004, Simon was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic because of his work with Ferrari.

Biography last updated 10 Jul 2018