The Honda Racing F1 team has announced that by 'mutual agreement' Gil de Ferran will relinquish his role as sporting director with 'immediate effect'.

de Ferran starting working at the Brackley-based outfit in April 2005, however this season has been a disaster for Honda and to date the squad has only scored a single point.

Whether or not this has had any bearing on his exit is open to debate – but there is no doubt some will speculate he could be the first of a number of casualties, as a result of the dismal form of the RA107.

"I am disappointed that Gil is leaving our team," stated chief executive officer, Nick Fry. "Since he joined us in 2005 we have enjoyed a very positive relationship. However, a Formula 1 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."

de Ferran meanwhile, who is apparently keen to now 'pursue other opportunities' - rumours already suggest he might be on his way to Prodrive, added that while he was sad to be leaving Honda, his role never quite turned out like he had hoped.

“I am obviously very disappointed to be leaving the Honda F1 team,” he explained. “I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Honda, with whom I have been successfully associated for more than 10 years. Consequently, my decision to leave has not been an easy one."

“I simply feel that I came to this team to fulfil a particular role and it has not materialised as I had hoped. I would like to thank everyone at the team for the support I have been given and I wish them luck in the future,” he summed-up.