Sep.6 (GMM) Toro Rosso has finally confirmed reports Giorgio Ascanelli has permanently left his post as technical director.
We reported last weekend that his likely successor, former Sauber and Force India man James Key, will start work at Faenza this week.Toro Rosso said recently that F1 veteran Ascanelli, once Ayrton Senna's engineer at McLaren, had gone "on holiday".Speculation suggested that 'holiday' coincided with 40-year-old Briton Key's serving of his mandatory 'gardening leave' before he could join Red Bull's second team.Toro Rosso announced on Wednesday that Ascanelli has resigned."We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future," said team boss Franz Tost.