Michelin reveal key personnel changes 10 Dec 2004
With Michelin’s motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier due to retire in 2006 and Formula One programme manager Pascal Vasselon moving to a new position next April, the French tyre manufacturers have announced their replacements.
Frederic Henry-Biabaud, who joined Michelin’s motorsport group at the start of 2003, will replace Dupasquier at the end of the 2005 season, while Vasselon will hand over in January to Englishman Nick Shorrock, with Patrick Cohen assisting him as technical manager.
“I am very happy to see that we are putting teams into place early enough to whom I can pass the torch, therefore guaranteeing the quality of service that we owe all our partners and the continuity of Michelin in racing,” said Dupasquier of the changes.
In replacing Vasselon, Shorrock will be responsible for Michelin’s Formula One operations, the performance of their Formula One department, and in particular relations with their partner teams. In addition, he will be responsible for promoting the company’s position concerning the evolution of future tyre regulations.
Cohen has vast experience within Michelin’s Technology Centre. A Doctor of macromolecular chemistry, he has held various important positions in the field of materials - including some destined for competition use - in tyre casing design and tyre development, and in the field of vehicle/tyre dynamics.
Michelin are expected to supply seven of the ten Formula One teams in 2005, with Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi running on Bridgestone tyres.
