Grapevine: Williams to Name Michael Technical Director

Williams are set to name Sam Michael as the team's technical director, with Patrick Head taking a step back.

The team will hold a press conference tomorrow at the Grove factory, unveiling their new wind tunnel. They also said an announcement will be made in a press conference, leading many in the paddock to believe that at least one driver will be announced for next season.

However, Atlas F1 has learned the announcement regards the shifting of duties between Head and Michael. Williams, however, would not confirm this.

33-year old Michael is currently Williams' chief operations engineer. He has been regarded as Head's successor for quite a while now, and last year, in an interview with Atlas F1, the Australian admitted this was his future aspiration.

"I think for the future I'm quite happy doing what I'm doing at the moment, and we'll just have to see what happens down the road - being Patrick's successor is something that I definitely aspire to in the future, but when that happens we'll have to see," he said.

"I wouldn't say at any point that I would ever be a replacement for Patrick, because that would be quite a big... you know, he's spent a lot of his life developing his character and his knowledge and all the rest of it, so it's probably not right to say that to be honest."

Recent speculations, particularly in the German media, suggested engine suppliers BMW were unhappy with Head's work, but Head himself refuted it was the German carmaker that asked him to step down.

"It's not true that BMW is trying to put me on a side," Head said. "The decision is mine: I took it independently six weeks ago within a re-organization of the team. I'll miss some races, that's all. But 25 years ago, when we won our first title, it was the same.

"The change of positions is the result of decisions made by me six weeks ago in response to the start of the season. It was clear that we intended to be fully competitive this year and it is very clear that we are not. We think we need to do a bit of restructuring and redistribute some responsibilities."

The Briton has been Williams' technical director since the team began competing in Formula One in 1978. Head is also a co-founder and shareholder of the team.

Williams are currently in fourth place in the Constructors' Championship and have not won a race since last year's German Grand Prix in August.