Ascanelli leaves Toro Rosso

Giorgio Ascanelli: Has resigned from Toro Rosso

Giorgio Ascanelli has resigned from his post as Technical Director of Toro Rosso, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

Speculation surfaced at the German Grand Prix in July that Ascanelli, who joined Toro Rosso in 2007, had departed following a disagreement about the team's development direction.

At the time, Team Principal Franz Tost merely said that Ascanelli was "on holiday". Toro Rosso have had a disappointing season to date, although Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne both scored points in Belgium last weekend.

"I've enjoyed the past years working at Scuderia Toro Rosso," said Ascanelli. "It has been a very intense and interesting time, in which we had to manage the transition from a small team to a much larger one, and everybody has put 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 midfield and I wish all at Toro Rosso the very best for the future."

Ascanelli's time at Toro Rosso coincided with the most successful period in the team's history, culminating in Sebastian Vettel's victory in the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

"Over a period of almost five years, Giorgio has contributed positively to the development of our team," added Tost.

"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.

"We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future."