Official: Gil de Ferran leaves Honda Racing F1

By Phil Huff
July 17 2007

Honda Racing F1's Sporting Director, Gil de Ferran, is leaving the team with immediate effect. The Brazilian, who joined the team in April 2005, is seemingly unhappy at the performance level of the team, and feels unable to have significant influence in improving matters. As a result, de Ferran has elected to walk away.

"I am obviously very disappointed to be leaving the Honda F1 team," explains Gil. "I simply feel that I came to this team to fulfil a particular role and it has not materialised as I had hoped.

"I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Honda, with whom I have been successfully associated for more than 10 years," he continued. "Consequently, my decision to leave has not been an easy one. I would like to thank everyone at the team for the support I have been given and I wish them luck in the future."

"I am disappointed that Gil is leaving our team," commented Nick Fry, Honda Racing F1's Chief Executive Officer. "Since he joined us in 2005 we have enjoyed a very positive relationship. However, a Formula One team is rather like a jigsaw puzzle in that every piece has to fit precisely in its place.

"Gil has become increasingly uncomfortable in his role and feels the time has now come to seek fresh opportunities. We are very much hoping that Gil will choose to maintain close links with the Honda family."