Sam Michael

Samuel David "Sam" Michael (born 29 April 1971) is sporting director at McLaren, a Formula One constructor. He was born in Western Australia and grew up in Canberra.^[1] After studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of New South Wales with a thesis on data acquisition systems for racing cars, he worked with the Formula Holden team. The team owner, Gregg Siddle, employed him on a part-time basis so that Michael could continue his studies.^[2]

He was recruited by Lotus in 1993. After Team Lotus went bankrupt in 1994 Gary Anderson, the chief designer at Jordan Grand Prix, took Michael on. He established the team's research and development department. He spent two years working in the Jordan factory on data acquisition. He also installed a seven-post rig for simulating suspension movement and designing an active differential.^[2]

In 1997, Michael joined the Jordan test team. In 1998 he was promoted to race engineer for Ralf Schumacher. When the German departed to go to Williams in 1999, Michael inherited Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The Michael/Frentzen partnership was successful, resulting in a win at the French Grand Prix at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, and then again at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.^[1]

In 2001, Sir Frank Williams brought Michael to Williams as Senior Operations Engineer. He took over the responsibility of managing the engineers at races and tests.

In May 2004, Michael was promoted to Technical Director of Williams, when Patrick Head moved sideways to head the team's research and development division.^[2]

Following the worst start to a season in Williams' history, Michael resigned from the team in early May 2011.^[3] For the final five races he joined McLaren but did not become their sporting director until the start of 2012.^[4][5]

Michael's position at McLaren came under pressure following a series of pitstop mistakes ^[6] forcing Whitmarsh to have to defend Michael's position.^[7]

Martin Whitmarsh was removed from CEO position from the whole of McLaren Group in 2014 and replaced with his predecessor, Ron Dennis. Michael also said he would no longer continue and not be sporting director for McLaren as he was moving back to Western Australia from his home near the teams base (McLaren Technology Centre) with his family.

References

McLaren Founder Bruce McLaren McLaren Technology Group Ron Dennis (25%) TAG Group (25%) Mumtalakat (50%) Head management Éric Boullier (Racing Director) Ron Dennis (Group CEO & part owner) Jonathan Neale (Interim CEO) Current personnel Tim Goss Neil Oatley Peter Prodromou Former personnel John Barnard Gordon Coppuck Mike Coughlan Pat Fry Steve Hallam Norbert Haug Robin Herd Paddy Lowe Neil Martin Teddy Mayer Sam Michael Gordon Murray Adrian Newey Steve Nichols Jo Ramírez Nicholas Tombazis Martin Whitmarsh 2015 race drivers 14. Fernando Alonso 20. Kevin Magnussen 22. Jenson Button 2015 test and reserve drivers Kevin Magnussen Stoffel Vandoorne Oliver Turvey McLaren young driver programme Stoffel Vandoorne Nyck de Vries Ben Barnicoat World Champions Emerson Fittipaldi Lewis Hamilton James Hunt Mika Häkkinen Niki Lauda Alain Prost Ayrton Senna Former drivers See category Drivers' titles 1974 1976 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1998 1999 2008 Constructors' titles 1974 1984 1985 1988 1989 1990 1991 1998 Cars: Formula One M2B M4B M5A M7A M7B M7C M7D M9A M14A M14D M19A M19C M23 M26 M28 M29 M29F M30 MP4 (MP4/1) MP4B (MP4/1B) MP4/1C MP4/1E MP4/2 MP4/2B MP4/2C MP4/3 MP4/4 MP4/5 MP4/5B MP4/6 MP4/6B MP4/7A MP4/8 MP4/9 MP4/10 MP4/10B MP4/10C MP4/11 MP4/11B MP4/12 MP4/13 MP4/14 MP4/15 MP4-16 MP4-17 MP4-17D MP4-18 MP4-19 MP4-19B MP4-20 MP4-21 MP4-22 MP4-23 MP4-24 MP4-25 MP4-26 MP4-27 MP4-28 MP4-29 MP4-30 Formula Two M4A M21 Sports cars Zerex Special M1A M1B M1C M6A M6B M6GT M8A M8B M8C M8D M8E M8F M8FP M12 M20 F1 GTR 12C GT3 650S GT3 P1 GTR USAC/IndyCar M15 M16A M16B M16C M16C/D M16E M24 F5000/Libre M3 M10A M10B M18 M22 M25 Development cars M2A MP4-29H/1X1 Road cars F1 F1 LM SLR (for Mercedes-Benz) MP4-12C P1 X-1 650S 675LT Engines M838T Merged team Project Four Racing Related West Competition

Williams Martini Racing Founders Sir Frank Williams Patrick Head Team principal Sir Frank Williams Current personnel Claire Williams Pat Symonds Rob Smedley Dickie Stanford Steve Nielsen Former personnel Ross Brawn Mike Coughlan Frank Dernie Gavin Fisher Sam Michael Adrian Newey Neil Oatley Adam Parr Enrique Scalabroni Geoff Willis Toto Wolff 2015 Race drivers 19. Felipe Massa 77. Valtteri Bottas 2015 Reserve drivers Adrian Sutil 2015 Test drivers Susie Wolff 2015 Development drivers Alex Lynn World champions Alan Jones Keke Rosberg Nelson Piquet Nigel Mansell Alain Prost Damon Hill Jacques Villeneuve Former drivers See category Drivers' titles 1980 1982 1987 1992 1993 1996 1997 Constructors' titles 1980 1981 1986 1987 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 Formula One cars   Frank Williams Racing Cars FW01 FW02 FW03 FW04 FW05 Williams Grand Prix Engineering/WilliamsF1 FW06 FW07 FW07B FW07C FW08 FW08C FW09 FW09B FW10 FW11 FW11B FW12 FW12C FW13 FW13B FW14 FW14B FW15C FW16 FW16B FW17 FW17B FW18 FW19 FW20 FW21 FW22 FW23 FW24 FW25 FW26 FW27 FW28 FW29 FW30 FW31 FW32 FW33 FW34 FW35 FW36 FW37 FIA Formula Two cars JPH1 JPH1B Le Mans prototypes BMW V12 LM BMW V12 LMR Rally cars Metro 6R4 Touring cars Renault Laguna (BTCC)