Sam Michael

Sam Michael (born April 29, 1971 ) is an Australian engineer and racing car designer in Formula 1 .

Michael grew up in Canberra and studied mechanical engineering at the University of New South Wales in Sydney . During his studies he got in touch with Gregg Siddle, the former manager of Nelson Piquet and Roberto Moreno , who at the time ran a racing team in the Australian Formula Holden . Siddle gave Michael a job on his team while he was studying and, after graduation, recommended him to his compatriot Peter Collins , who was working for Lotus in Formula 1 at the time.

Nick Heidfeld in 2005 in the Williams FW27 designed by Michael

In 1993 Michael moved to Norfolk to work alongside Peter Wright in Lotus’s development department on data acquisition and racing simulation. After the end of the Lotus team in 1994, he moved to Jordan , where he was initially responsible for data acquisition at the racetrack and in 1996 headed the development of the research and development department. In 1998 Michael became racing engineer for Ralf Schumacher and, after his move to Williams, for Heinz-Harald Frentzen , with whom he won two races in 1999 .

In 2000, Michael moved to Williams as chief engineer and in 2004 took over the position of technical director from Patrick Head . Due to the failures in the 2011 season, the separation was announced at the end of the 2011 season. At the Singapore Grand Prix , Michael was the last time for Williams in action. From 2012 to 2014 he was the sports director at McLaren .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Sam Michael leaves McLaren - Formula 1 - Motorsport-Magazin.com. In: Motorsport-Magazin.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016 . 

Web links

• Statistics of the Formula 1 cars designed by Michael