Patrick Head retiring in 2011

Patrick Head

(GMM) 2011 is team co-founder Patrick Head's last season in formula one, Williams chairman Adam Parr revealed on Tuesday.

The 64-year-old handed over as technical director some years ago and admitted recently that he is not attending too many races this season as engineering director.

He cashed in millions of his team shareholding for the Frankfurt stock floatation earlier this year, and will head into retirement proper later in 2011, Parr told reporters during a teleconference.

The teleconference was called after Williams announced that Head's successor as technical director, Sam Michael, is leaving — probably to be replaced eventually by new chief engineer Mike Coughlan who is joining the team next month.

"He (Coughlan) will be responsible for the FW34, next year's car, and how that develops," said Parr, referring to the sacked former McLaren chief designer who was banned from F1 for two years for the 'spygate' affair.

As for the veteran Head, he has "made it clear he will be retiring at some point this year", Parr explained.

He also said the departing Jon Tomlinson will be succeeded in the role as chief aerodynamicist, and suggested more appointments in the near future are likely.

"There is quite a bit of change coming, so by the end of the year we will have a clear new group for 2012 and beyond," added Parr, who also revealed that he offered Sir Frank Williams his own resignation.

"Absolutely," he confirmed, admitting the team shareholders did not accept his offer. "But that doesn't mean I don't feel responsible for this failure."