Ascanelli leaves Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso have confirmed Giorgio Ascanelli has resigned from his post as technical director.

It is understood Ascanelli and Toro Rosso had struggled to see eye to eye of late, with the announcement of his departure hardly a surprise.

Team principal Franz Tost said: "Over a period of almost five years, Giorgio contributed positively to the development of our team. Especially in the difficult transition period from a simple racing team to a fully-fledged constructor he made an important contribution and his undoubted experience was very valuable to us."

Assessing his time at the team, Ascanelli said: "I've enjoyed the past years working at Scuderia Toro Rosso.

"It was a very intense and interesting time in which we had to manage the transition from a small team to a much larger one.

"Everybody has put in a lot of effort to bring us where we are today.

"We have sown the seeds for a successful future and I think the team challenge is now to gain a stable presence in the upper mid-field."

It is anticipated James Key, previously with Force India and Sauber, will shortly be confirmed as Ascanelli's successor.