Scuderia Ferrari has confirmed that Racing Director Laurent Mekies will not be in the paddock in Belgium this weekend, leaving the team early after four and a half seasons with the team.

It had been announced earlier that Frenchman Laurent Mekies was set to take up the role of Team Principal in Faenza at the end of the season, but on Thursday Ferrari announced that his departure had been brought forward.

Their statement said: “Laurent Mekies’ time at Scuderia Ferrari comes to an end this week. The Racing Director will not be in Belgium and he leaves the Prancing Horse after four and a half seasons, during which time the team took seven wins. The entire team thanks him for his great contribution during those years.”

From the Belgium Grand Prix onwards, the role of Sporting Director will be carried out by Diego Ioverno, a 23-year veteran of the Scuderia Ferrari team.

Ioverno’s promotion is part of a restructuring effort for the Scuderia, who brought Fred Vasseur in at the beginning of the year in place of Mattia Binotto.

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Main photo of Laurent Mekies source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre