No place for Herbert following Spyker deal?

The approval of Spyker's takeover of the former Midland MF1 team by company shareholders appears to have left Johnny Herbert out of work.

The Briton had been hired by previous owner Alex Shnaider to provide a 'friendly face' for the world's media, but his sporting relations manager role will be surplus to requirements as the Dutch influence begins to mould the new-look squad ahead of next season.

Team boss Colin Kolles confirmed Herbert's departure, telling Reuters that the 42-year old had been employed by Midland's parent company rather than by the race team.

"Of course, he was part of the team, but it was a different arrangement," the team boss said at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Herbert's persona, and new experience on the other side of the F1 fence, could see him fall into a similar role elsewhere, and new Spyker MF1 owner Michiel Mol refuses to rule out an involvement in the future.

"I have spoken with Johnny and, somewhere in the next week or two, we'll sit down and have a chat to see if there is a future or not," the Dutchman said, "His deal with Midland finished and now we have to see whether we can do something with him in the future."