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F1 News & Discussions => F1 Teams => Topic started by: cosworth151 on July 16, 2011, 07:35:05 PM

Title: Williams Sued by Michael Waltrip Racing
Post by: cosworth151 on July 16, 2011, 07:35:05 PM

NASCAR team Michael Waltrip Racing has sued the Williams Formula 1 Team. The suit results from Williams hiring Mike Coughlan as Chief Engineer. Coughlan had been Waltrip's head of car design since October 2010. His contract was supposed to run until November 30, 2012.

http://www.racer.com/michael-waltrip-racing-suing-williams-f1-team/article/207672/?DCMP=EMC-RACER_DAILY (http://www.racer.com/michael-waltrip-racing-suing-williams-f1-team/article/207672/?DCMP=EMC-RACER_DAILY)

Title: Re: Williams Sued by Michael Waltrip Racing
Post by: Scott on July 16, 2011, 08:19:55 PM

Ah geez, Coughlin is stirring up trouble whatever he does.  What, an F1 contract supposedly supersedes a NASCAR contract?  How could anyone involved not think this was about to happen?  Should have hired Symonds anyhow...

Title: Re: Williams Sued by Michael Waltrip Racing
Post by: Alianora La Canta on July 16, 2011, 08:51:52 PM

Symonds isn't available - he's been at Virgin all year.

Still, you'd think Mr Coughlan would have had more sense than to re-enter a series he left in such noise and disgrace through the same route he left?

Title: Re: Williams Sued by Michael Waltrip Racing
Post by: Scott on July 16, 2011, 09:18:19 PM

Quote from: Alianora La Canta on July 16, 2011, 08:51:52 PM

Symonds isn't available - he's been at Virgin all year.

Consultants aren't usually bound the same way...he probably could have walked away any time someone called.

Title: Re: Williams Sued by Michael Waltrip Racing
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on July 16, 2011, 09:39:10 PM

I don't know all the history you guys seem to know but I always scratch my head whenever I hear the word "contract" in F1 talk. Seems to be that whatever agreement is in place should be called something like "I'll work for you until I don't feel like it anymore and somebody gives me more money"

Yeah yeah, everyone should be free to pursue their interests and cash in and teams should feel free to go after whoever they want......unless you are under contract. When the contract runs THEN you are free to shop your services around or if the team you are with gives you permission beforehand.

They need to adopt trade deadlines or something!

Title: Re: Williams Sued by Michael Waltrip Racing
Post by: Jericoke on July 16, 2011, 10:03:59 PM

I suppose the international nature of the dispute will be a problem.

The article claims Coughlan broke his contract with MWR in April, and then signed with Williams in June.  On the face of it, Williams seems to be in the clear.  Certainly a British Company isn't required to ferret out if someone has a pre-existing contract with an American company.

Now, some industries include 'anti-tampering' languages in their contracts, if that's the case, Williams might have offered Coughlan the job before he quit, but once again, that's going to be tough to determine, and again, a NASCAR contract might stand up to EU regulations anyway.

At the end of the day, do you really want someone on your team who doesn't want to be there?  Can MWR get good talent if the team won't let them explore other opportunities?

Title: Re: Williams Sued by Michael Waltrip Racing
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on July 17, 2011, 01:11:34 AM

MWR needs the money.

Lonny