Colin Kolles and Mike Gascoyne have left Force India in a major management reshuffle admidst speculation that the team will enter a technical partnership with McLaren-Mercedes in 2009.
Force India team owner has assumed full responsibility for running the outfit, aided by Robert Fernley, director of Force India, while design director Mark Smith and technical director James Key will share responsibility on the technical front.
Former team principal Kolles and chief technical officer Gascoyne will no longer play any formal role at the team.
The announcement follows a statement confirming that the team will end its engine deal with Ferrari, paving the way for a technical collaboration with McLaren-Mercedes in 2009.
Vijay Mallya said of the restructuring: “Force India is my most difficult project to date and it has become clear that it requires more direct input from my side and greater performance accountability.
“We have come a long way this season, but we need more and that requires some radical reorganisation of the management structure to ensure the maximum productivity.
“I would like to thank Colin Kolles for his tireless efforts in keeping such a small team alive and to Mike Gascoyne for bringing his wealth of technical expertise. Both have played an instrumental part in making the team what it is today.
“On Monday November 10th, I will announce the new technical direction of the team as well as the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer who will assume overall responsibility for our Silverstone and Brackley facilities, Race and Test operations.”
