Ferrari replaces chief technical officer halfway into season

Under Allison's guidance Ferrari returned to the top of a Formula One podium for the first time in nearly two years at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2015, Sebastian Vettel winning the first of three races in the season.

Ferrari has parted ways technical director James Allison.

Formula One team Ferrari has parted ways with technical director James Allison after three years with the Italian manufacturer.

Allison returned to Ferrari in 2013 after eight years away working for Benetton, Renault and Lotus; the 48-year-old tasked with restoring the team to the heights the team achieved during his first spell in the early 2000s.

Under Allison's guidance Ferrari returned to the top of a Formula One podium for the first time in nearly two years at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2015, Sebastian Vettel winning the first of three races in the season.

In a statement, Allison said: "During the years I spent at Ferrari, at two different stages and covering different roles, I could get to know and appreciate the value of the team and of the people, women and men, which are part of it. 

"I want to thank them all for the great professional and human experience we shared. I wish everybody a happy future with lots of success."

Allison — who has been linked with a return to Renault — has been replaced by Mattia Binotto.