Technical Director James Key leaves Sauber
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| James Key |
(GMM) Sauber's technical director James Key has left the Swiss team.
In a media statement, the Ferrari-powered outfit said Key, a Briton who switched from Force India in 2010, has accepted an unspecified "new role" in his native UK.
Sauber's design and development will now be handled by "the department heads for aerodynamics, design, performance and operations", the team added.
"We would like to thank him (Key) for his efforts and wish him all the best for his future," said boss Peter Sauber.
Sauber said operating without a technical director "has proved to work well at other racing outfits".
02/03/12 Sauber has received a knock on the run-up to the 2012 Formula 1 season, with James Key electing to hand in his notice and leave the team. The Englishman, formerly with Force India, had worked with the Hinwil squad from the start of the 2010 campaign but has now been offered a new job closer to his native home in the United Kingdom.
As a result of the departure, Key’s role has been split into four parts and shared amongst the respective heads of the Aerodynamics, Design, Performance and Operations departments.
“I’ve enjoyed the past two years working at the Sauber F1 Team," Key comments. “It has been a very intense and interesting time, in which we had to manage the transition from a much larger team to a smaller one, and everybody handled that very well. I think the team is now well set for the future and I wish it the very best. I have been offered a new role back in the UK, which I decided to accept."
Team Principal Peter Sauber said the following:
“A qualified team shares the overall technical responsibility. This structure has proved to work well at other racing outfits. Over a period of almost two years, James has accomplished a lot for our team. Especially in the difficult transition period from a manufacturer team into a private enterprise, he contributed significantly to ensure the team regained stability. We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him all the best for his future."