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Williams F1 confirm Sam Michael's departure and Mike Coughlan's arrival - A significant technical restructuring in Grove

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Williams F1 confirm Sam Michael's departure and Mike Coughlan's arrival
Credit: Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic
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Hello and welcome to F1Minute, it’s the 3rd May 2011.

Williams F1 have undergone the expected technical restructuring, after the worst start to a season in the team’s history. Technical director Sam Michael and Chief Aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson have both resigned, and both will leave at the end of the year. Team boss Frank Williams said of the pair: “Both Sam and Jon are talented and driven people who have worked hard for Williams over 10 and five years respectively. Nonetheless, they have recognised that the team’s performance is not at the level it should be.”

At the same time as waving goodbye to two members of the team, Williams welcomes another, with former McLaren employee Mike Coughlan joining as Chief Engineer, starting next month. You may remember Mike from such scandals as the Ferrari and McLaren espionage affair, in which he was ousted from Formula One. Again, Frank Williams spoke of the news: “His two year ban from the sport expired some time ago and Mike is now determined to prove himself again. Williams is delighted to give him the opportunity to do this.”