Sam Michael will join McLaren for final two races of 2011

[RESSE]

Sam Michael will join McLaren for the final two races of the season after he was given permission to start work for the Woking-based outfit by former employers Williams, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

The Australian left Williams at the end of September after a lengthy spell as its technical director, having agreed a deal to join McLaren as its sporting director.

At the time it was unclear how long Michael would have to spend on 'gardening leave', while he served out the terms of his old contract.

However, following discussions between Williams and McLaren, sources have confirmed that Michael was allowed to begin work officially at his new team from November 1, having been out of action for just one month.

He began duties at the factory on Tuesday and will now travel to the Abu Dhabi and Brazilian Grands Prix with the Woking-based outfit.

Speaking in September, Michael said that the chance to see McLaren in action at the track before the end of this season would be a great boost.

"If I can get to a race this year with McLaren, it lets me observe what they are up to," he told AUTOSPORT. "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."

[baz1985]

RESSE said:

"If I can get to a race this year with McLaren, it lets me observe what they are up to," he told AUTOSPORT. "It's much better to do that and have the winter to think about "screwing" things "up" rather than going straight in at Melbourne and "being confused"."

[Teppic]

RESSE said:

Mark Webber's and Fernando Alonso's chances of finishing second in this years drivers championship have been given a massive boost after the news that Sam Michael will join McLaren for the final two races of the season after he was given permission to start work for the Woking-based outfit by former employers Williams, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

[Flying Toilet]

Best move Williams have made for years. Williams will be on the up next year now the dross has gone.

[jeffw]

We are big fans then lol

[CocoUK]

The results for Williams while Sam Michael has been the Senior Operations Engineer/Technical Director - speak for themselves - quite poor.
Whether this was due to the many demands thrust upon him or not being up to the task is open to debate - as is if Williams future looks brighter with his departure.

But with regard to his new role at McLaren, his title is Sporting Director, something that he has a good history with & something that McLaren has lacked this season...

Have a butchers at James Allens take:
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/09/sam-michael-...

[rubystone]

There was I in the Eystons.... oh fk it....Sam's a bright guy, FW probably pitched him in the deep end too early because Patrick wanted to sail his boat round the world...Whitmarsh is no fool (despite having a smile uncannily similar to the gurning fool's) and I think he'll harness Sam's brainpower very well indeed.

I'd love to see Williams go and unmothball Gav Fisher....

[456lbft]

rubystone said:

There was I in the Eystons.... oh fk it....Sam's a bright guy, FW probably pitched him in the deep end too early because Patrick wanted to sail his boat round the world...Whitmarsh is no fool (despite having a smile uncannily similar to the gurning fool's) and I think he'll harness Sam's brainpower very well indeed.

I'd love to see Williams go and unmothball Gav Fisher....

What's the rubystone take on Parr's leadership? Just interested..

[rubystone]

456lbft said:

What's the rubystone take on Parr's leadership? Just interested..

My day job involves working in an industry where the real leaders are steadily being replaced by corporate men. The Bob Diamonds, Howard Lutnicks, Terry Smiths are dinosaurs nowadays.... In F1, the same applies...we call them "Garagistes"...only Ron Dennis has managed to make the transition to respected CEO. FW, Ken Tyrrell, even Peter Sauber are racer first, businessman second. There's no doubt that Mansour Ojjeh helped Ron Dennis...Frank Williams didn't have a partner to help him. Dare I say it, I think FW realised that he missed his chance when he refused BMW's overtures....I think Adam Parr is a reaction to that...a businessman rather than an enthusiast. BUT I know that FW has final say on drivers still.

[CocoUK]

rubystone said:

456lbft said:

What's the rubystone take on Parr's leadership? Just interested..

Dare I say it, I think FW realised that he missed his chance when he refused BMW's overtures....

Indeed, a few extra quid in the pot, continuation of the BMW power plant, perhaps even landing the talent of Kubica, how things could be quite different today. C'est la vie.

[456lbft]

Let's hope the renewal of their partnership with Renault, and the technical reshuffle pays off.

[Alfa numeric]

CocoUK said:

rubystone said:

456lbft said:

What's the rubystone take on Parr's leadership? Just interested..

Dare I say it, I think FW realised that he missed his chance when he refused BMW's overtures....

Indeed, a few extra quid in the pot, continuation of the BMW power plant, perhaps even landing the talent of Kubica, how things could be quite different today. C'est la vie.

Or of course they could have had the rug pulled out from under them just like Sauber did.

[groomi]

CocoUK said:

rubystone said:

456lbft said:

What's the rubystone take on Parr's leadership? Just interested..

Dare I say it, I think FW realised that he missed his chance when he refused BMW's overtures....

Indeed, a few extra quid in the pot, continuation of the BMW power plant, perhaps even landing the talent of Kubica, how things could be quite different today. C'est la vie.

And then having to do what Peter Sauber did and buy it all back again to save some jobs when BMW got bored of playing F1, thus finding themselves pretty much exactly where they are right now anyway.

[CocoUK]

Or that! It's a funny ol' game.

[rubystone]

Peter Sauber is a lovely guy. Notwithstanding the blinding deal he struck with BWM to 'buy' the team back, it was done purely because to him it was the 'right' thing. That is why his employees are so loyal and why staff turnover is so low. Shame Zander won't be returning.

Would BMW have shafted Williams? I would like to think that FW would have done them up tighter than a kipper...