Williams allow Sam Michael to work for McLaren for the last two races of 2011 – Formula 1 news
Recent reports have confirmed that Sam Michael has been allowed by Williams to join the McLaren-Mercedes team as their technical director in the last two races that remain in the ongoing 2011 Formula 1 season.
Michael joined Williams in 2001 and was promoted to the role of technical director three years later in 2004. In May 2011, he resigned from his position at Williams after signing a contract with McLaren-Mercedes for 2012.
It was thus confirmed that Michael will be parting ways with the Williams team and assuming his role as the sporting director of the Woking-based team from March of 2012. However, now that he has been allowed by the Grove-based outfit to take responsibility
at the Woking factory, the Australian technical maestro will officially begin work with effect from November 1, 2011.
At the recently held Grand Prix in India, Jenson Button of McLaren stood second place claiming 18 points from the race, that separate him and double-world champion Sebastian Vettel by 134 points on the drivers’ championship.
The McLaren team currently lies in the second position on the constructors’ standings for this season with a 153-point advantage over Ferrari.
The drivers’ and constructors’ championships for the ongoing 2011 season have both been won by the Red Bull Racing team.
Michael looks at his early move to McLaren-Mercedes as a great learning opportunity which will help him gain useful insight into the team’s operations and get essential experience which would enable him to prepare well for next season. He has already expressed
his joy at becoming part of the team and how privileged he feels to be working with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, the two drivers he has great admiration for.
“If I can get to a race this year with McLaren, it lets me observe what they are up to,” Michael said while speaking to Autosport.com. “It's much better to do that and have the winter to think about things rather than going straight in at Melbourne and reacting
to what I see.”
Michael further said, “I already know and respect many of the team’s senior technical management figures, and becoming a member of that excellent working unit was one of the prime attractions of this new position.”
Let’s see how Michael’s addition to the team helps them in boosting their performance.
The next race, which is the second last race of this season, begins at Yas Marina circuit, Abu Dhabi, from November 11, 2011.
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