Sam Michael to McLaren
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| Sam Michael |
This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Williams F1 today confirmed that Sam Michael will join McLaren as Sporting Director. The announcement follows Sam's resignation from his current post as AT&T Williams' Technical Director in May this year. Sam's last race with the team will be at the forthcoming Singapore Grand Prix.
Sam joined Williams F1 in 2001 as Chief Operations Engineer. He was later promoted to Technical Director, the position he held for eight seasons.
Frank Williams, Founder and Team Principal of AT&T Williams, said, "I am delighted that Sam has found a new role that will enable him to continue to apply his energy, passion and experience to Formula One. On behalf of everyone at Williams I wish him a successful move to his new team.
"I would also like to thank Sam for his help in enabling a swift and smooth transition to our new technical leadership. Mike Coughlan and Jason Somerville are settling in very well and the restructuring will be complete when Mark Gillan joins us as Chief Operations Engineer on 19 September."
09/12/11 (GMM) According to a loudening rumor on the microblogging website Twitter, McLaren is poised to announce a new member of its technical team.
The rumor goes that the new appointment is Sam Michael, Williams' departing technical director.
The 40-year-old Australian said earlier this year he would "clearly be in formula one next year" but said he "can't talk about" the details.
His last grand prix on the Williams pitwall, which he joined from Jordan in 2011, will be Korea next month.
Michael was earlier linked with possible moves to Force India, Mercedes and Ferrari.
"Everything is open for the future," he said in late July.