Force India bolster technical staff

Smith had been expected to renew his close ties with Force India's chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne, having worked together previously at Jordan and Renault, ever since his future at Red Bull was thrown into doubt last year following the arrival there of Geoff Willis.

He has now been installed as Design Director, to work under Gascoyne and alongside the team's technical director James Key.

Hall is to join the team as Project Leader of the 2009 car, with the team also promoting Akio Haga to the position of Project Leader for the 2008 machine. Both men will report directly to Smith.

Gascoyne said: "It's great to have Mark and Ian back with the team, especially as both were instrumental in the successful Jordan era of 1999. I have worked with both since then, with Mark at Renault and Ian at Toyota, and I am sure that they will fit very well into the new structure.

"With James and Mark I think we have a strong top management structure and I look forward to challenging the teams above us on the grid.

"The reorganisation comes at the same time the wind tunnel at Brackley has finished its commissioning process and is due to switch to 24 hour running. With these advantages we now have a great chance to expand our operations and I am confident we can move up the field very quickly next year."

Key added: "It's very positive to have Mark and Ian back with us as I have good memories of working with them from the Jordan days.

"I think we can work well together to rapidly improve the performance of the car and can't wait to see this success played out on the track. I'm looking forward to getting started on development of the 2009 car."