Jordan designer Smith resigns

JORDAN technical director Mark Smith is reported to have left the team just days after it was taken over by Alex Shnaider's Midland Group.

The highly-rated designer had only officially returned to Jordan from Renault two months ago, but resigned from his position on Friday morning.

Smith is not the only member of Jordan's technical team to have departed since Midland took control at the start of the week. Some of Jordan's senior mechanics, engineers and aerodynamic staff have also left in recent days - some of them declared surplus to requirements by Midland, others choosing to quit the team. Members of Midland sporting director Trevor Carlin's Formula 3 squad are currently being employed to fill the vacant roles.