McLaren have announced that Sam Michael is to join them as their new sporting director next season.
Williams technical director takes new role
McLaren have announced that Williams technical director Sam Michael is to join them next season in the role of sporting director.
Michael will leave Williams after next weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. He has worked for the Grove-based team for the last 11 seasons, initially as chief operations engineer before taking his current position in 2004.
Williams opted for a shake up of personnel at the start of the season in a bid to turn around their ailing fortunes.
This included the departure of the experienced Michael who has spent the last 18 years in Formula One in total.
However, Williams and Michael agreed he would remain on board during the current season to help facilitate the changes.
As sporting director at McLaren, Michael will be responsible for taking specific responsibility for the development and management of the team's trackside operations.
Prime attraction
Michael said: "Being a racer my whole life, I know McLaren is one of the all-time greats of Formula One.
"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.
"Equally, for some time I've closely observed and greatly admired both Lewis (Hamilton) and Jenson (Button) as grade-one drivers, and therefore regard it as an enormous privilege to be able to work with both of them.
"I've spent 11 seasons with WilliamsF1, have many fond memories, and truly wish them all the best.
"In the near future, however, I will become 100% focused on McLaren, and will be aiming to ensure the team's famous rocket-red victory t-shirts will be seen many times over the coming years."
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes Michael will greatly enhance his already excellent backroom staff.
Expertise
"Speaking on behalf of everyone at McLaren, I'm very pleased to welcome Sam as an important senior addition to our race team," said Whitmarsh.
"He'll bring a very valuable blend of experience and expertise to our pitwall, and will also enrich the technical management we provide for our drivers.
"I'm certain he'll work extremely well with our senior technical management team, which I firmly believe will now become the strongest in all of Formula One."
