Ex-McLaren F1 chief Martin Whitmarsh to Ben Ainslie's sailing team

Whitmarsh's new position brings him back into the public eye for the first time since he left McLaren at the start of 2014.

Whitmarsh will take a seat on the board and report to team principal Ainslie, a four-time gold medalist in sailing.

"Formula 1 is a sport that can take over your life, it can consume you," Whitmarsh told the Daily Telegraph.

"And I think it got pretty close to doing that with me.

"But I know I'm a lucky, lucky man. I had an amazing 25 years and never have to work again if I don't want to.

"Whatever I do now should be because I want to do something fresh."

Whitmarsh was removed from his position at McLaren when Ron Dennis increased his role in the F1 team again, and his departure was made formal in August.

"As a friend, Martin informed me of his America's Cup appointment in advance, and I was delighted for him," Dennis said.

"I'm delighted for British ocean yacht racing too, because Martin will do a fantastic job for Ben and his team. Formula 1 and the America's Cup enjoy a great many technical and operational synergies, and Martin's long experience at the highest level in Formula 1 will translate very well indeed to the equally competitive global sport that he's now taking on."

Ainslie's team already has an association with F1 through a consultancy deal with Adrian Newey and Red Bull Technologies.

"When we first started to put together the plan for BAR, McLaren were one of the aspirations," Ainslie said.

"So it's particularly appropriate to have one of the original architects of that model as our new CEO.

"Martin came highly recommended by many authoritative figures in the motorsport industry, and already has good relationships with several of our key partners, particularly the head of Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Adrian Newey."