From team release
Steve Hallam (photo), an engineer and manager the past 27 years in Formula One, is settling into his new office at Michael Waltrip Racing - and a new life in America after leaving his post as head of operations for team McLaren based in Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom. It was announced in September that Hallam would be making the move to MWR, leaving behind a rich history in Formula One. He has now assumed his new role as Director of Competition after moving around the globe to North Carolina to set up shop in Waltrip's 140,000 square foot factory. Toyota's commitment to racing in NASCAR peaked Hallam's interest. As he wanted to learn more about opportunities with NASCAR teams, Pete Spence, technical director for Toyota Racing Development, put him in contact with Calvin Wells III at MWR. "Toyota was very influential with me coming here," Hallam said. "When Pete started to talk to me and took me to a Cup race in November 2007, I realized there is life outside of Formula One and it is very exciting, different and challenging. I was converted and it didn't take me long to realize I wanted to be a part of that. Pete asked if I minded that he put someone in touch with me. I said no and in no time, Cal called me about a position at MWR. I finished out the season with McLaren and accepted MWR's offer." Hallam, 56, joined McLaren in December 1990 and was a race engineer for seven years before becoming McLaren's head of race engineering, a role he remained in until being named head of race operations in 2007. After announcing his move to MWR, Hallam rounded out his last season with McLaren by guiding Lewis Hamilton to the 2008 World Driving Championship - the sixth time Hallam had been part of a Formula One championship team. In addition to working with Hamilton, the tech ace also has worked with drivers such as Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Gerhard Berger, Kimi Raikkonen and Mika Hakkinen. Photos: WRI2
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