Force India technical director James Key has left team after 13 years at the Silverstone-based squad.
He joined the team in 1998 in its original incarnation, Jordan, and became technical director in 2005, the team’s final year in that form.
Mark Smith takes over the role of technical director. Key’s work was mainly focussed on the aerodynamic development of the car while Smith concentrated on the mechanical side, but the latter will now fulfil a dual role.
Smith is another Jordan veteran, having spent 11 years with them before joining Red Bull in 2005. He returned to the outfit, now as Force India, in 2007.
The team has not yet confirmed when or whether Key will be replaced. He said:
I have spent the majority of my motor racing career within the team and although a difficult decision I felt the time was right for me to move on to new opportunities. After four owners and various changes and challenges, to field a car that got a pole position and a podium seemed like a culmination of all the efforts.
While I’m sad to leave a team I know so well, one which has allowed me to realise many ambitions within F1, I’m looking forward to a new start. The VJM03 is now up and running and early indications are good, I wish Force India all the very best for the next and coming seasons.
James Key
Read more: Force India F1 team information
Martin Stanley
23rd February 2010, 19:01
Maybe he’s off to Campos because of Kolles?
Scribe
23rd February 2010, 19:20
bad luck for Force India. That man produced the sliperiest thing on the grid. Hope there form doesn’t suffer from this and they find someone good to replace him with.
sato113
23rd February 2010, 19:31
‘sliperiest’??? ha
Scribe
23rd February 2010, 22:16
experimental grammar.
its all the rage.
sato113
24th February 2010, 3:21
so why would it be seen as bad luck to lose a man who created slippery cars? i’m confused by ur comment.
Scribe
24th February 2010, 12:46
Slippery is good, I ment he made excedingly low drag cars. Hence the Spa Monza revalations.
K
24th February 2010, 1:16
Slipperiest is a word.
nick
23rd February 2010, 19:30
is this a bad thing or good thing :|
Adrian
23rd February 2010, 20:09
I suspect that depends on who they fill his role…
FLuidd
23rd February 2010, 21:23
It’s usually bad , but then again Fi was never a force in F1 and from where I am standing it will never be.
K
24th February 2010, 1:17
Doesn’t have to be bad or good.
Scribe
24th February 2010, 14:25
Key has gone to Sauber!
He was entraced by the technical facilities. He is replacing Willy Rampf who I belive is retiring, however this article doesn’t say. There going to use March to help with the transition. As well as race in two Grand Prix’s presumably.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81675