Peter Sauber says James Key's exit a logical conclusion after successful partnership

The Hinwil team announced earlier this month that Key was leaving the squad he had joined in April 2010.

Sauber has decided not to bring in a replacement technical director and has instead opted to create a new structure instead.

Key had played a key role in helping Sauber with the transition from manufacturer-backed operation under BMW ownership to a private team again.

Sauber said that with Key keen to leave the team to return to work in the UK, there was no choice but for the relationship to end.

"James joined us in a phase when we had to undergo the painful transformation from a manufacturer to a private team, and he was one of the key factors behind returning stability to our squad," said Sauber.

"In the phase that followed it became more and more obvious that the cooperation was not working as both sides had hoped. As James wanted to leave the team, it was the logical conclusion to let him move on."

Sauber reckons his team will need to use its development resources better this year in order to avoid the kind of slump it suffered last season following a strong start to the campaign.

"2011 was divided into two very different parts. We had a good first half and a difficult second one," he told F1.com.

"This year we will have to allot our development resources in a way that will help us improve over the whole course of the season and help us keep and defend our position."

And the team boss says the goal for the upcoming season is to maintain a consistent level of performance all year long.

"We had a good start and a disappointing end. This season we want to have the same start as last year but we want to keep that level of performance throughout the whole season. If we are able to do that then the final count will look more pleasant."