Scuderia Ferrari Racing Director Laurent Mekies has parted ways with the team and will not be present at the Belgian GP, per an official team statement.
Mekies future lies with AlphaTauri, having been announced as Team Principal Franz Tost’s replacement earlier this year.
It is expected that Mekies will link up with the Red Bull sister squad in the new year, following Tost’s departure.
“[Mekies] leaves the Prancing Horse after four and a half seasons, during which time the team took seven wins,” Ferrari said in their official statement.
The statement continued, as Ferrari extended their ‘thanks’ to Mekies; “for his great contribution during those years.”
Ferrari also stated who will assume Mekies’ pitwall duties, starting in Belgium this weekend.
“As from the Belgian Grand Prix, part of Laurent’s duties on the pitwall will be carried out by Diego Ioverno, who takes on the role of Sporting Director,” the team said.
“Along with his colleagues on the pitwall, Matteo Togninalli, Head of Track Engineering and Ravin Jain, Race Strategist, he will report directly to team principal, Fred Vasseur.”
Mekies’ departure and Ioverno’s promotion is the latest development in a raft of changes made in Maranello since Vassuer’s arrival at the start of the year.
As well as Mekies, Ferrari parted ways with long-standing head of vehicle concept David Sanchez at the start of the year, ahead of a switch to McLaren in 2024.
Having emerged with the strongest car at the start of the ground effect rules in 2022, Ferrari has slipped down the pecking order in 2023 and lies fourth in the constructors’ standings.
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