The Subaru World Rally team has announced that sporting director Luis Moya will leave the Banbury-based outfit at the end of this season.

Speaking after the news that Moya will no longer work with the team in 2007, SWRT managing director, Richard Taylor explained that the decision was taken after they opted to 'slim down the top management' and as Moya was employed as a 'consultant' and not a full-time member of staff, they have decided not to renew the deal. Taylor added though that they have really appreciated his efforts over the last few years.

"We have decided to slim down the top management of the team and put greater emphasis on our full-time personnel in Banbury," confirmed Taylor. "Luis was employed as a specialist consultant purely for WRC events but we've decided to re-allocate these responsibilities within the team and will not be renewing his contract for 2007.

"Both the team and Subaru are very grateful to Luis for his input over the past three and a half years - and we hope to see him on rallies again in the near future..."

Moya, who brought considerable experience to Subaru after his exploits as a co-driver to Carlos Sainz, was employed by former SWRT boss, David Lapworth in September 2003, to take on the responsibility for driver management, event strategy and to manage the team's relationship with the FIA - the sports governing body. His first event with the SWRT as the 'sporting director' was on the Sanremo Rally on October 3 2003, while his last was the recent Wales Rally GB.

"Luis Moya will leave the team at the end of the current season," added a spokesperson for the team, when asked when his contract officially comes to an end.

The split is apparently amicable and Moya was at the Subaru WRT HQ in Banbury as recently as Thursday this week and attended their recent end of season Christmas Party.