Team Michael and Tomlinson leaving Williams, Coughlan hired

Chatters · 3 May 2011, 10:12 (Ref:2873392)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91085

This doesn't sound like good news. I'm not sure if Mike Coughlan is the man who will be able to turn Williams' fortunes around.

ECW Dan Selby · 3 May 2011, 10:21 (Ref:2873400)

To be fair i'm glad change has happened so soon.

The team's had an awful start. They're not much better off than the new teams and that is a complete joke.

Michael's had his time. Should be interesting to see what Coughlan can do.

Just look what effect James Key had almost instantaneously at Sauber. Watch this space!

Selby

**GTRMagic** · 3 May 2011, 10:36 (Ref:2873412)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

To be fair i'm glad change has happened so soon.

The team's had an awful start. They're not much better off than the new teams and that is a complete joke.

Michael's had his time. Should be interesting to see what Coughlan can do.

Just look what effect James Key had almost instantaneously at Sauber. Watch this space!

Selby

It could be successfully argued that this is a few years too late

Sad for the pair, I am sure they have given their all.. but on track performances did not reflect the efforts

ECW Dan Selby · 3 May 2011, 10:22 (Ref:2873401)

Oh I just read 'at the end of the season'...

Shame :P

Selby

Super Hans · 3 May 2011, 10:39 (Ref:2873415)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

Oh I just read 'at the end of the season'...

Shame :P

Selby

I think it makes sense for Sam Michael to remain until the end of the season. It's his car and he's the man to develop it. Meanwhile, Coughlan can get on with starting work early on next year's car. It's a good chance for him to restore his rep post-2007.

**GTRMagic** · 3 May 2011, 10:41 (Ref:2873417)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Hans

I think it makes sense for Sam Michael to remain until the end of the season. It's his car and he's the man to develop it. Meanwhile, Coughlan can get on with starting work early on next year's car. It's a good chance for him to restore his rep post-2007.

How do you develop a pile of junk?

This season's Williams is even worse than previous seasons'. I wonder if a 'B' car is in their future?

Super Hans · 3 May 2011, 10:46 (Ref:2873423)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

How do you develop a pile of junk?

This season's Williams is even worse than previous seasons'. I wonder if a 'B' car is in their future?

Yes, it is junk, but what is the point in having the new team attempt to polish a turd (so to speak) when they can steal a march on their rivals by starting work on next year's car early?

**GTRMagic** · 3 May 2011, 10:48 (Ref:2873428)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Yes, it is junk, but what is the point in having the new team attempt to polish a turd (so to speak) when they can steal a march on their rivals by starting work on next year's car early?

Are next season's regulations cast in stone? Does Williams, or more importantly Mr Coughlan, have enough input from the Pirelli work so far and into the future to build a car that will work with the tyres?

This isnt a second coming... its fixing something that has been broken for a fair while unfortunately...

ECW Dan Selby · 3 May 2011, 10:46 (Ref:2873425)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Hans

I think it makes sense for Sam Michael to remain until the end of the season. It's his car and he's the man to develop it. Meanwhile, Coughlan can get on with starting work early on next year's car. It's a good chance for him to restore his rep post-2007.

Yeh fair point - maybe a transitional period might work.

But again, looking at Sauber, it seemed to work ok for them.

Selby

ASCII Man · 3 May 2011, 10:43 (Ref:2873422)

Oh yeah, even more instability by kicking out and bringing in new staff, just what Williams needed.
This ought to work.

ECW Dan Selby · 3 May 2011, 10:47 (Ref:2873427)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASCII Man

Oh yeah, even more instability by kicking out and bringing in new staff, just what Williams needed.
This ought to work.

So this team has worked well for the past ten years, has it?

There comes a point where change is absolutely necessary, and I think this is one of those times.

Selby

ASCII Man · 3 May 2011, 14:29 (Ref:2873548)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

So this team has worked well for the past ten years, has it?

There comes a point where change is absolutely necessary, and I think this is one of those times.

Selby

Its exactly the lack of continuity that has plagued Williams the past 10 years, too many driver changes, too many engine supply changes, too many staff changes, etc, etc.
That coupled with ever decreasing funds are the main reasons why Williams is not a top outfit anymore.

I hope it works out for them, I really do.
But I fear its all too little, too late.

Seems like they're heading the way of Tyrrell, a slow slow death.

wnut · 3 May 2011, 22:50 (Ref:2873772)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASCII Man

Its exactly the lack of continuity that has plagued Williams the past 10 years, too many driver changes, too many engine supply changes, too many staff changes, etc, etc.
That coupled with ever decreasing funds are the main reasons why Williams is not a top outfit anymore.

I hope it works out for them, I really do.
But I fear its all too little, too late.

Seems like they're heading the way of Tyrrell, a slow slow death.

You have nailed the Williams problems here.
If they are going to employ Coghlin or anyone else they should add him; as chief if necessary; to the engineering team.
They need continuity and this is just a disruption!

Sounds like they have employed management consultants!
They are stuffed!

ECW Dan Selby · 3 May 2011, 11:02 (Ref:2873435)

I think 2012 is the same (as good as) as this year's regs, isn't it?

2013 is where it all goes crazy.

Selby

Razor · 3 May 2011, 11:03 (Ref:2873437)

To quote Star Wars: I have a bad feeling about this.

Marbot · 3 May 2011, 19:16 (Ref:2873657)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

To quote Star Wars: I have a bad feeling about this.

The more obvious one is: “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”

Mike Coughlan helped to engineer some pretty good cars. Williams, at the very least, have another decent engineer on their books.

Sodemo · 4 May 2011, 08:07 (Ref:2873881)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

The more obvious one is: “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”

Mike Coughlan helped to engineer some pretty good cars. Williams, at the very least, have another decent engineer on their books.

How about; "what a piece of junk!"

Marbot · 4 May 2011, 17:06 (Ref:2874074)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

How about; "what a piece of junk!"

How about: May the 4th be with you. Get it? May the force....please yourself.

Apparently the blame is now being put on Parr, rather than Michael.

Patrick Head also didn't take too kindly to Parr's announcement of his impending retirement.

nobster · 3 May 2011, 11:05 (Ref:2873439)

A change for the better? As a long time Williams fan I am glad that something is about to change, we will have to wait if the change will work out for them but it surely can't get any worse...

ECW Dan Selby · 3 May 2011, 11:07 (Ref:2873441)

I do understand people's pessimism, but as Williams fans, do you not think a change was absolutely necessary?

I'm genuinely intrigued.

Selby

**GTRMagic** · 3 May 2011, 11:09 (Ref:2873443)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I do understand people's pessimism, but as Williams fans, do you not think a change was absolutely necessary?

I'm genuinely intrigued.

Selby

It was necessary, but back in 2005 when Mr Webber had all that reliability rubbish going on... very easy to say now, after 10 years in the seat, that it didnt work

Wonder what the public investors think?

chillibowl · 4 May 2011, 18:29 (Ref:2874136)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Wonder what the public investors think?

Bloomberg

well their share price has been trending upwards over the past week so at least the shareholders and beancounters think it was a good idea!

not sure i like the idea that a sports team would make choices based on stock prices (they should make decisions based on performance and the chance to win races) but cant say i disagree with this outcome.

kurski · 3 May 2011, 13:58 (Ref:2873538)

I"m glad Mike Coughlan return to Formula One series, but is it unfortunate that Tomlinson and Michael leave the teams end of the season...

Coughlan career:

Quote:

1984-1990 > designer, chief designer > Lotus (F1)
1991 : chief designer > Benetton (F1)
1992-1993 : track engineer, ingénieur en chief > Tyrrell (F1)
1994-1996 : project engineer > Ferrari (F1)
1997 : deputy technical director > Arrows (F1)
1998-2002 : technical director > Arrows (F1)
2003-2007 : chief designer > McLaren (F1)
2008-2010 : ingénieur, led the Force Protection Ocelot project > Ricardo
2010 : chief designer > projet Stefan GP
2011 : director of vehicle design > Michael Waltrip Racing (NASCAR)
may 2011- : chief engineer > Williams (F1)

Sodemo · 4 May 2011, 08:03 (Ref:2873878)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I do understand people's pessimism, but as Williams fans, do you not think a change was absolutely necessary?

I'm genuinely intrigued.

Selby

I do, they have needed a change for a while. You could argue that after 2005 the warning signs were there. 2006 wasn't an awful season, but you think with the success they had in 2001-2004 it was a poor year. So really, since 2005 the team hasn't been competitive. I'm glad some changes have occurred.

**GTRMagic** · 3 May 2011, 11:14 (Ref:2873445)

Adam Parr Offered To Go Too!!

And Bye Bye to Patrick Head at Season's end

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Lawrence Tomlinson profile in today's FT	isynge	Sportscar & GT Racing	2	29 Apr 2010 20:10
Rosberg confirms he's leaving Williams	henners88	Formula One	3	29 Oct 2009 18:03
Ferrari dismiss Stepney/McLaren suspend Coughlan	davec	Formula One	1838	13 Sep 2007 01:36
Michael and Williams	senna12	Formula One	15	3 Apr 2004 05:23
You're Hired !!!	macdaddy	ChampCar World Series	44	3 Jul 2003 00:20