Another senior Williams man’s future in doubt - report

The future of another senior member of Williams’ technical team is reportedly in doubt.

On the back of a near unprecedentedly bad start to the famous British team’s 2011 season, it emerged that chairman Adam Parr is heading a radical restructuring that could result in technical director Sam Michael losing his job.

And Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that other personnel changes could be implemented, possibly as soon as next weekend’s Turkish grand prix.

The report said Williams’ 38-year-old chief aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson could be set to leave the Oxfordshire based team.

He entered F1 with Jordan in 2000 and has also worked with Renault.

Auto Motor und Sport also said team co-founder, shareholder and long time engineering director and Patrick Head is looking to step down completely.

"This would start a whole new era for Williams’ technical department," read the report.

The rumours are reportedly circulating not only in F1 circles but also among those in the know at the Frankfurt stock exchange, where Williams’ shares have been in decline.

The team’s senior driver Rubens Barrichello is quoted by Speed Week as defending Sam Michael, the Australian who turns 40 on Friday.

Michael joined Williams in 2001 and three years later replaced Head as technical director.

"I have known Sam since our days at Jordan," said Brazilian Barrichello. "The problem is not that he is the wrong man for the job, but that he has too much to do."

Speed Week said the feeling in the Shanghai paddock two weeks ago was that Williams should not be looking to blame Michael for its current situation, but rather chairman Parr.