De Ferran leaves Honda Racing

The team said the Brazilian is leaving to "pursue other opportunities".

"I am disappointed that Gil is leaving our team," said team boss Nick Fry. "Since he joined us in 2005 we have enjoyed a very positive relationship. However, a Formula One team is rather like a jigsaw puzzle in that every piece has to fit precisely in its place.

"Gil has become increasingly uncomfortable in his role and feels the time has now come to seek fresh opportunities. We are very much hoping that Gil will choose to maintain close links with the Honda family."

De Ferran, a two-time CART champion and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 2003, had joined the team in April of 2005.

"I am obviously very disappointed to be leaving the Honda F1 team," de Ferran said. "I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Honda, with whom I have been successfully associated for more than 10 years. Consequently, my decision to leave has not been an easy one.

"I simply feel that I came to this team to fulfil a particular role and it has not materialised as I had hoped. I would like to thank everyone at the team for the support I have been given and I wish them luck in the future."