Sauber technical director James Key has left the team to take up "a new role back in the UK" after a technical reorganisation.

13238 - Technical director Key leaves Sauber

Key had been technical director at Sauber for just under two years after replacing Willy Rampf in April 2010. He joined from Force India where he had worked since 1998 when the team was in its original Jordan guise.

At the time of his arrival Sauber was downsizing following the withdrawal of BMW, but after two years working in Switzerland he has confirmed that he will be returning to work in the UK.

"I've enjoyed the past two years working at the Sauber F1 Team," Key said. "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 thanked Key for his work and said that the design and development of the new car would be overseen by the heads of the aerodynamics, design, performance and operations departments.

"A qualified team shares the overall technical responsibility," Sauber said. "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."