Rising to the Challenge: Interview with Sam Michael
2005 was, says Technical Director Sam Michael, a character-building year for the Williams team, who struggled for pace and endured a troubled end to their partnership with BMW. Next year will present a new challenge and a lot of change: Cosworth engines, Bridgestone tyres and a new driver to show they can bounce back despite the lack of support of a manufacturer. Will Gray talked to Michael about the challenges the team will face in 2006
Williams will be a different team when they return to the track later this month, arriving in Barcelona with a Cosworth engine and Bridgestone tyres. The 2005 season did not go to plan for the Grove squad, outperformed by their rivals and dropped by engine partners BMW. But they are not about to roll over.
It seems a long time since the final race of 2004, when the departing Juan Pablo Montoya won in Brazil to give Williams a boost of confidence that in 2005 they would be leading the changing of the guard and finally overhaul multiple World Champions Ferrari.
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