Sauber technical director James Key has left the team just three days before the launch of their 2012 car to take up a new job back in the UK.
James Key leaves role just three days before car launch
Technical director James Key has left Sauber just three days before the launch of their 2012 car.
He joined the Swiss team in April 2010, after a career with Force India dating back to 1998 when the team was known as Jordan.
The 40-year-old has quit to take up an unspecified new job back in the UK.
Sauber insist that Key's departure will not impact on their 2012 campaign with his role being filled by the Swiss team's department heads for aerodynamics, design, performance and operations.
Key told the team's website: "I've enjoyed the past two years working at the Sauber F1 Team.
"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 added: "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."
Key was recruited by Sauber early into the 2010 season after the team's long-time technical Willy Rampf stood down. After helping stabilise the Hinwil squad's performance and reliability in that first year, he oversaw the design of the car that finished seventh in last year's Constructors' Championship.
