The Williams Formula 1 team announced Tuesday morning the departure of Sam Michael and Jon Tomlinson, and the surprising arrival of Mike Coughlan.
Following the disappointing results and performance of the Cosworth-powered FW33, team Williams announced the restructure of its technical department.
Technical Director, Sam Michael, and Chief Aerodynamicist, Jon Tomlinson, have resigned from their positions within the company, to take effect at the end of 2011.
Later, the team announced that Mike Coughlan would join the team in June 2011 in the role of Chief Engineer. This is quite news as we saw Coughlan in the engineering department of NASCAR's Michael Waltrip Racing just a few weeks ago.
Coughlan worked in F1 for teams Lotus, Tyrrell, Ferrari, Arrows and McLaren. Coughlan was forced to leave F1 in 2007 as a result of his role in the infamous McLaren vs Ferrari ‘Spygate’ affair.
Last winter, Coughlan was apparently involved in the setting up of the new Stefan GP Serbian F1 team.
Mike Coughlan commented, “I am grateful to Williams for giving me this opportunity. My experience in 2007 was life-changing. Since then, I have endeavoured to put my skills to good use in the design of the Ocelot vehicle whose purpose is to transport soldiers in safety. I have also enjoyed my time with Michael Waltrip Racing: they are an excellent race team and I wish them well for the future. Now, I am looking forward to returning to a sport which I love and to joining a team that I have admired for many years. I will dedicate myself to the team and to ensuring that we return to competitiveness while respecting the ethical standards with which Williams has always been synonymous.”
Following the disappointing results and performance of the Cosworth-powered FW33, team Williams announced the restructure of its technical department.
Technical Director, Sam Michael, and Chief Aerodynamicist, Jon Tomlinson, have resigned from their positions within the company, to take effect at the end of 2011.
Later, the team announced that Mike Coughlan would join the team in June 2011 in the role of Chief Engineer. This is quite news as we saw Coughlan in the engineering department of NASCAR's Michael Waltrip Racing just a few weeks ago.
Coughlan worked in F1 for teams Lotus, Tyrrell, Ferrari, Arrows and McLaren. Coughlan was forced to leave F1 in 2007 as a result of his role in the infamous McLaren vs Ferrari ‘Spygate’ affair.
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| Mike Coughlan (second on the left) with Stefan GP boss, Zoran Stefanović. (Photo: Stefan GP) |
Last winter, Coughlan was apparently involved in the setting up of the new Stefan GP Serbian F1 team.
Mike Coughlan commented, “I am grateful to Williams for giving me this opportunity. My experience in 2007 was life-changing. Since then, I have endeavoured to put my skills to good use in the design of the Ocelot vehicle whose purpose is to transport soldiers in safety. I have also enjoyed my time with Michael Waltrip Racing: they are an excellent race team and I wish them well for the future. Now, I am looking forward to returning to a sport which I love and to joining a team that I have admired for many years. I will dedicate myself to the team and to ensuring that we return to competitiveness while respecting the ethical standards with which Williams has always been synonymous.”