Adam Cooper F1

As had been rumoured engineering director Pat Fry and chief designer Nicolas Tombazis are both leaving Ferrari as part of a reorganisation under new boss Maurizio Arrivabane.

Meanwhile James Allison’s position as the overall technical boss as been strengthened in what Ferrari calls “a flatter structure and clear assignment of responsibilities.”

Fry joined Ferrari in 2011, while Tombazis has been there since 1997, apart from a spell with McLaren.

A team statement said: “James Allison is the Technical Director with two Italian engineers and home grown Scuderia talent reporting to him: Chief Designer Simone Resta and Power Unit Director Mattia Binotto, the latter will be supported by Chief Designer Power Unit Lorenzo Sassi, among others. Furthermore James Allison will direct track engineering activities ad interim.

“Therefore he will be responsible for all technical aspects of delivering the Scuderia’s drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, as well as the newly appointed test driver and third driver Esteban Gutiérrez, with the most competitive Formula 1 car possible.”

Arrivabene will also head a newly formed commercial department, assisted by marketing manager and erstwhile media boss Renato Bisignani. The press office will be run by former journalist Alberto Antonini.

Around 20 of the trophies stolen from Red Bull Racing on December 6^th have been recovered from a lake, although the exact number is not clear as some are damaged.

They were found near Sandhurst in Berkshire, some 120kms from the RBR base in Milton Keynes.

“It’s good news that some of our trophies have been found and thanks to the police for all their help so far,” said Christian Horner. “The fact that some of the trophies were discarded in a lake and damaged shows how senseless this crime was. While the trophies mean an enormous amount to the team, their intrinsic value is low – and the extent of the damage that was caused to the factory by the offenders during the break-in was significant.

“Hopefully we can get the trophies back to our factory where they belong and get replicas made of those that we can’t. Thanks to everyone involved for their help so far.”

A statement from Thames Valley Police said: “Around 20 of the trophies were yesterday recovered from the Horseshoe Lake near Sandhurst, after being spotted by a member of the public.

“Members of the Specialist Search and Rescue Team searched part of the lake yesterday and located a number of trophies.”

The police have asked the public for help.

“We estimate about twenty trophies have been recovered, but we are liaising with Red Bull to establish the exact number, as some of the trophies are damaged,” said Investigating officer Det Con Chris Oakman.

“We would continue to ask that anyone with any information about the burglary contacts us on 101. Further, if anyone sees a trophy or trophy parts near the area of Horseshoe Lake please contact the Force.”

Robin Frijns is a free agent once more after his contract with Caterham F1 expired and was not renewed.

Although the news is hardly surprising his management company has taken the opportunity to remind the world that the talented Dutchman is available.

Frijns did very little running during his time with Caterham, although he was seen in FP1 in Bahrain and Silverstone.

“I’d like to say thank you and goodbye to all the people at Caterham F1 Team, whom I have worked with over the past twelve months,” he said. “I keep my fingers crossed that there will be a future for the team in Formula One in 2015 and beyond. Especially I’d like to thank former team principal Cyril Abiteboul whom I consider to be mainly responsible for giving me the chance to become a part of the team.”

His management added: “Our partnership with Caterham expires today, since the team obviously hasn’t exercised their option to extend the contract. We cannot deny that the year has developed in a disappointing way after all, but we now have to focus on creating a better situation for next year. However, no decision about Robin’s future has been made yet.”

Jenson Button is full of optimism for the 2015 season after finally being confirmed at McLaren, alongside Fernando Alonso.

Ron Dennis has revealed that the deal was only signed last night, and surprisingly perhaps it lasts for two years – which means there will be no chance to slot on in either Kevin Magnussen or Stoffel Vandoorne in 2016.

“Like Fernando, I am certain that McLaren and Honda will achieve great things together,” said Button. “And I feel sure that, working together, all of us will pull incredibly hard to create a brilliantly effective winning team.

“I admired Ayrton Senna enormously, but, for me, it was the exploits of his McLaren-Honda team-mate Alain Prost that inspired me most as a boy. The way he stroked those beautifully brutal red-and-white cars to grand prix wins and world championships was to my mind poetry in motion, and I have tried to emulate his driving style ever since.

“Being a part of new-look McLaren-Honda is a wonderful opportunity for all of us, and I am very pleased to have been invited to do my bit. In fact, I am absolutely raring to go.

“I am also very glad that Kevin will remain part of the team. He is a very quick driver and a really nice guy.”

Button clearly has a lot of faith in McLaren’s new partner: “Looking forward, I know the Honda guys well, having driven Formula 1 cars powered by their engines from 2003 to 2008. I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for them, and promise to give 100% to make their partnership with McLaren a success.

“Last but far from least, I am very much looking forward to having a driver as fast and as experienced as Fernando as my team-mate. I am sure we will work extremely well together.”