Sep.13 (GMM) Sam Michael is headed to McLaren in 2012, it was announced officially on Tuesday.

Earlier, the rumour was doing the rounds on the microblogging website Twitter.

Amid Williams' struggle for performance in recent years, Australian Michael resigned his post as technical director in May. The Oxfordshire based team said on Tuesday his last race will be Singapore next weekend.

In 2012, the 40-year-old will then return to the paddock as McLaren's new sporting director.

He will have "responsibility for the development and management of the team's trackside operations", a McLaren statement said.

"I am delighted that Sam has found a new role that will enable him to continue to apply his energy, passion and experience to formula one," commented Sir Frank Williams in a separate statement.

Williams has already replaced Michael with Mike Coughlan as well as Mark Gillan, who will start work next week.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version