View source for Sam Michael

{{short description|Australian Formula One designer (born 1971)}}
{{for|the Australian footballer|Sam Michael (footballer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Sam Michael
| image         = <!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing [[brackets]] -->
| alt           = 
| caption       = 
| birth_name    = Samuel David Michael
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1971|04|29|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Western Australia]]
| death_date    = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} -->
| death_place   = 
| nationality   = {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Australia]]
| other_names   = 
| occupation    = [[Motor sports]] engineer and designer
| years_active  = 1993-
| known_for     = [[Formula One]] engineer and designer: ([[Team Lotus|Lotus]], [[Jordan Grand Prix|Jordan]], [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]], [[McLaren]])
| notable_works =
}}
'''Samuel David Michael''' (born 29 April 1971) is an Australian [[motor sports]] engineer and designer, who held senior positions with [[Formula One]] constructors [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] and [[McLaren]]. He is currently employed by [[Supercars Championship|Supercar]] team [[Triple Eight Race Engineering (Australia)|Triple Eight Race Engineering]].

==Early career==
Michael was born in [[Western Australia]] and grew up in [[Canberra]].<ref name="GP">{{cite web|url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cref-micsam.html|title=People: Sam Michael|publisher=Grandprix.com|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> After a brief stint working on [[Neal Bates]]' [[Toyota Celica GT-Four]] rally car, Michael studied [[mechanical engineering]] at the [[University of New South Wales]] with a thesis on [[data acquisition]] systems for racing cars. During his studies, Greg Siddle employed Michael on a part-time basis working on [[Mark Larkham]]'s [[Formula Holden]], so that Michael could continue his studies.<ref name=Williams>{{cite web |url=http://www.williamsf1.com/team/profiles/sam-michael/ |title=Sam Michael - Technical Director |work=Williams F1 |publisher=WilliamsF1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421125059/http://www.williamsf1.com/team/profiles/sam-michael |archive-date=21 April 2009 |access-date=8 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/11/02/sam-michael-deal-feather-cap-supercars/|title=Sam Michael deal a feather in cap for Supercars|work=[[Speedcafe]]|date=2 November 2016|archive-date=13 July 2018|access-date=2 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713041601/https://www.speedcafe.com/2016/11/02/sam-michael-deal-feather-cap-supercars/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Formula 1==
Michael was recruited by UK-based [[Team Lotus|Lotus]] in 1993. After Team Lotus went bankrupt in 1994 [[Gary Anderson (motorsport)|Gary Anderson]], the chief designer at [[Jordan Grand Prix]], took Michael on to establish the team's [[research and development]] department. Michael spent two years working in the Jordan factory on data acquisition, and installed a seven-post rig for simulating [[suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] movement and designing an [[active differential]].<ref name=Williams />

In 1997, Michael joined the Jordan test team. In 1998 he was promoted to [[race engineer]] for [[Ralf Schumacher]]. When the German departed to go to Williams in 1999, Michael inherited [[Heinz-Harald Frentzen]]. His partnership with Frentzen was successful, resulting in a win at the [[1999 French Grand Prix|French Grand Prix]] at [[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours]], and then again at the [[1999 Italian Grand Prix|Italian Grand Prix]] at [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|Monza]].<ref name=GP />

In 2001, [[Frank Williams (Formula One)|Sir Frank Williams]] brought Michael to Williams as Senior Operations Engineer. He took over the responsibility of managing the engineers at races and tests. In May 2004, Michael was promoted to [[Technical Director]] of Williams, leaving [[Patrick Head]] to focus on engineering strategy.<ref name=Williams />

In late 2011, Michael joined McLaren as Sporting Director, becoming part of the senior technical management team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sam Michael to become McLaren sporting director after Williams exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/14900469|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flagworld.com/news/2011/09/13/vodafone-mclaren-mercedes-hires-sam-michael-as-sporting-director/|title=McLaren Mercedes hires Sam Michael as Sporting Director|date=29 September 2011|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-date=1 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001163652/https://www.flagworld.com/news/2011/09/13/vodafone-mclaren-mercedes-hires-sam-michael-as-sporting-director/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At McLaren, Michael came under pressure following a series of failures during pitstops, during the introduction of new equipment and procedures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9353134/European-Grand-Prix-2012-its-the-pits-for-McLaren-and-Lewis-Hamilton-after-another-costly-error-in-Valencia.html|title=European Grand Prix 2012: it's the pits for McLaren and Lewis Hamilton after another costly error in Valencia|date=24 June 2012|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> [[Martin Whitmarsh]] defended Michael's position,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100902|title=Martin Whitmarsh defends Sam Michael's job at McLaren F1 team|date=4 July 2012|work=Autosport.com|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> and shortly afterwards the changes began to pay off.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/09/celebrating-the-fastest-ever-pit-stop/|title=Celebrating the fastest ever pit stop // James Allen on F1|date=23 September 2012|website=www.jamesallenonf1.com|access-date=2016-08-26|archive-date=8 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008194515/https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/09/celebrating-the-fastest-ever-pit-stop/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Return to Australia==
At the end of 2014 Michael returned to Australia, after resigning from McLaren earlier that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/29723594|title=McLaren's Sam Michael set to leave F1 team at end of 2014|date=22 October 2014|website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> In mid-2016, Michael joined the Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety board focusing on safety in motor sport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-joins-australian-racing-safety-board-809576/?s=1&q=Sam+Michael|title=Sam Michael joins Australian racing safety board|date=25 August 2016|website=www.motorsport.com|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-date=13 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713171817/https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-joins-australian-racing-safety-board-809576/?s=1&q=Sam+Michael|url-status=dead}}</ref> In late 2016, Michael took on a part-time mentoring role with [[Triple Eight Race Engineering (Australia)|Triple Eight Race Engineering]] after [[Ludo Lacroix]] moved to [[DJR Team Penske]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/sam-michael-joins-triple-eight-845672/|title=Sam Michael joins Triple Eight|date=1 November 2016|website=www.motorsport.com|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710164152/https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/sam-michael-joins-triple-eight-845672/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/11/01/ludo-lacroix-set-leave-triple-eight/|title=Ludo Lacroix set to leave Triple Eight|work=Speedcafe|date=1 November 2016|archive-date=2 December 2022|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202002342/https://www.speedcafe.com/2016/11/01/ludo-lacroix-set-leave-triple-eight/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Michael was invited to become a director of the Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety in 2016 and worked in a close involvement with safety matters.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ex-McLaren F1 sporting chief Sam Michael to head FIA Safety Commission |url=https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-fia-safety-commission-president/7874593/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903084715/https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-fia-safety-commission-president/7874593/ |archive-date=3 September 2024 |access-date=2025-07-06 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> 

== Role in FIA ==
In 2017, Michael became an advisor to the FIA’s Research Working Group, a body of engineers that among other tasks reviews new safety devices.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ex-McLaren F1 sporting chief Sam Michael to head FIA Safety Commission |url=https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-fia-safety-commission-president/7874593/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903084715/https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-fia-safety-commission-president/7874593/ |archive-date=3 September 2024 |access-date=2025-07-06 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> 

He has a seat on the FIA Single Seater Commission.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ex-McLaren F1 sporting chief Sam Michael to head FIA Safety Commission |url=https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-fia-safety-commission-president/7874593/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903084715/https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/sam-michael-fia-safety-commission-president/7874593/ |archive-date=3 September 2024 |access-date=2025-07-06 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Michael was the President of the FIA Safety Commission.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFwiw0UsdpI |title=Sam Michael: Engineering His Rise To The Top {{!}} F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast |date=2023-05-24 |last=((FORMULA 1)) |access-date=2025-07-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Governance Structures |url=https://activityreport2023.fia.com/fia-at-a-glance/governance-structures/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=FIA Activity Report 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodhouse |first=Jamie |date=2022-02-05 |title=Ex-McLaren boss Sam Michael to be the new head of the FIA Safety Commission |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/sam-michael-fia-safety-commission |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=PlanetF1 |language=en}}</ref>

== Life outside F1 ==
Michael co-founded Ox Mountain in 2015 and currently is the CEO. Ox Mountain is a machine learning company to the optimisation of maintenance in capital intensive industries, such as mining and rail.<ref>{{Cite web |last=fs@uwa.edu.au |title=MBA Strategy and Leadership Forum 2022 |url=https://www.uwa.edu.au/schools/business/events/mba-strategy-and-leadership-forum-2022 |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=UWA |language=en}}</ref>

He is a Adjunct Senior Lecturer<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |title=Sam Michael |url=https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/sam-michael |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125214855/https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/sam-michael |archive-date=2025-01-25 |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=University of Western Australia |language=en}}</ref> of Economic, Business School at the University of Western Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=fs@uwa.edu.au |title=MBA Strategy and Leadership Forum 2022 |url=https://www.uwa.edu.au/schools/business/events/mba-strategy-and-leadership-forum-2022 |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=UWA |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{McLaren}}
{{Williams}}
{{Jordan Grand Prix}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Michael, Sam}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of New South Wales alumni]]
[[Category:Australian motorsport people]]
[[Category:Formula One designers]]
[[Category:Lotus Cars]]
[[Category:McLaren people]]
[[Category:Williams Grand Prix Engineering]]