James Allison leaves Ferrari

Ferrari have confirmed that their technical chief, James Allison, has left the team with immediate effect.

Mattia Binotto, formerly the team's head of engines, will replace Allison and assume the position of chief technical officer.

Allison's wife passed away in March and his departure from Maranello has been widely expected in order for him to spend more time with his family in England. 

"The team would like to thank James for his commitment and sacrifice during the time spent together, and wishes him success and serenity for his future endeavors," team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said.

Allison has worked for Ferrari in two separate stints and rejoined the Scuderia from Lotus three years ago.

"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," said Allison.

"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." 

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Ferrari, without a win this year and approaching a full decade without a world championship success, are currently just one point ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors' Championship after a lacklustre start to the 2016 season. 

In full: Ferrari's results in 2016

'Through tragic personal circumstances, James Allison, their highly regarded technical chief, has had to prioritise other matters in his life, and there were alarming reports before we arrived in Budapest that Sergio Marchionne, the president, now feels the need to sit in on technical meetings at Maranello,' wrote Sky F1's Martin Brundle in his latest column for Sky Sports.

'That cannot end well. If everyone is trying to steer the ship, and the head man doesn't trust his troops, then you have problems.'

Allison has already been linked with a move back to Renault - the Lotus outfit prior to Renault's takeover late last year - while Ferrari are believed to be interested in recruiting James Key, Toro Rosso's highly-rated technical chief. 

'There'll be an almighty scrap between British-based teams to employ James Allison now he's parted company with Ferrari,' tweeted Brundle after the news of Allison's departure. 'Vettel won't be happy.'