Cosworth has appointed Kim Spearman as its new head of Formula 1 operations following the surprise departure of Mark Gallagher ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Gallagher resigned from his role as General Manager F1 Business Unit of Cosworth after two successful years at the Northampton-based engine supplier "to pursue other interests in motorsport."
He previously worked at Pacific, Jordan, Lola and Red Bull Racing, and joined Cosworth in 2009 to help develop its Formula 1 business. During that time he has maintained an involvement in the successful Status Grand Prix team, which won the A1GP Series title in 2009, and is currently fighting for the championship in the GP3 Series title chase with Alexander Sims.
"It has been a great privilege to run Cosworth's F1 business for over two years and to work with such talented people," Gallagher said. "The company produces world class products, and that applies particularly to the CA F1 engine, which is truly competitive.
"Next year will be my 30th in professional motorsport and I have a number of ambitions for the future, hence my decision to move on. This will include helping my team, Status Grand Prix, and my partners Teddy Yip and David Kennedy to achieve their objectives in GP3 and beyond. Meantime it has been very rewarding to play my part in Cosworth's return to F1 as an engine supplier, and I wish the company, its management and staff every success for the future."
Spearman, who has worked at a senior position within Cosworth for many years, has taken over Gallagher's responsibilities at the company with immediate effect and is at this weekend's Italian GP.
A Cosworth spokesman said: "Cosworth would like to thank Mark for his efforts over the last 18 months in helping to re-establish the Cosworth name back in F1, and the company wishes him all the very best of success in the future.
"Cosworth is fortunate to have strength in depth and has already appointed Kim Spearman to take over the company's F1 Business Unit, effective from this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. Kim has been at Cosworth for 24 years and has been involved in various motorsport championships around the globe over the years. He has great technical and operational knowledge which we are sure will benefit our F1 unit and its customers.
"For Cosworth, it is business as usual with our immediate focus on this weekend's Italian Grand Prix in Monza."