Manor F1 team technical chief Bob Bell leaves after five months

It emerged on Friday following a difference of opinion over the future direction of the team with owner Stephen Fitzpatrick.

Now technical consultant Bell has also chosen to depart just five months following his appointment on June 1.

While Booth and Lowdon are to remain in place until the end of the season, Bell departed a week ago.

The exodus does not end with the leading trio as a number of other key personnel behind the scenes have also chosen to resign.

Bell, the former Renault and Mercedes technical boss, had played a key role in helping Manor acquire an engine from next season from the latter.

Although Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff confirmed the situation at Manor did not affect the supply deal, he stated he would be looking on with interest given the relationship he had built up with Lowdon, and Booth in particular.

Wolff said: "Obviously when I spoke about racers, John and Graeme were very much meant by that, plus of course the rest of the team.

"It's a bunch of real fighters that have shown stamina in keeping the team in the sport.

"I've known John forever, since the Formula Renault days of Lewis [Hamilton] and Formula 3 days.

"Manor means John Booth and John Booth means Manor, and Graeme was very instrumental in keeping the team alive last year.

"So seeing them go, from a personal standpoint and from the racing spirit, is obviously a blow.

"Going forward, we have signed the deal with Manor and I would say we need to give credit to everybody in the team who stays in the team, but we are curious spectators from now on."