Carlin confirms Hyatt to head Raikkonen's rival.

Carlin Motorsport has confirmed rumours linking head of engineering Anthony 'Boyo' Hyatt to an all-new Formula Three operation being set up by McLaren F1 star Kimi Raikkonen and manager Steve Robertson.

The split, while amicable, is understood to have come about following Carlin's involvement with the new Midland F1 team, which team boss Trevor Carlin will oversee ahead of its expected grand prix debut in 2006. However, while other members of the ultra-successful F3 squad are expected to follow suit and assume roles in the F1 operation, which is understood to be locating itself closer to Silverstone than Carlin's Aldershot base, Hyatt has indicated that he would rather continue in the junior formula.

"We can confirm that 'Boyo' is doing his last race with us at the World Series by Nissan event at Jerez, and will be leaving after this to work on a new initiative set up by Steve Robertson and Kimi Raikkonen," a team spokesman confirmed to Crash.net.

The new operation could compete directly with Carlin next season - the former champions have confirmed that they will be fighting to regain the British title, having already signed Formula BMW frontrunner Christian Bakkerud - but may yet opt for the F3 Euroseries should Raikkonen's links with Mercedes provide a supply of the marque's potent F3 powerplant.

Raikkonen's involvement in the new team is something of an irony as the Finn skipped Formula Three on his rapid rise up the ranks. Having impressed in karting and Formula Renault, Raikkonen leapt straight into Formula One with Sauber, before being snapped up a year later by McLaren and Mercedes. He will team up with Juan Montoya at the Woking team next season.