Oastler and Green Split with BAR

British American Racing engineering director Malcolm Oastler is leaving the Formula One team along with chief designer Andy Green in a major technical restructuring.

BAR said in a statement on Thursday that some 15 percent of the workforce also faced the axe following a detailed review three months after David Richards took over as team boss from Craig Pollock.

"As a result of this study a new structure is to be implemented with immediate effect, and will give clearer lines of reporting, more focused accountability and an overall leaner organisation," the statement said.

Richards, who runs the successful Prodrive firm and also controls the commercial rights to the World Rally Championship, took over from Pollock last year.

"At the end of the day the organisation has not delivered," Richards said. "I know that Malcolm and Andy recognise that the results have been below their expectations and I appreciate their disappointment.

"We need to build a team with a very clear structure. BAR has many extremely talented people and what we are now doing is giving them the framework within which they can fulfil their true potential."

Oastler, a 42-year-old Australian, became chief designer at BAR in 1998 and served briefly as technical director. His job changed again when BAR recruited aerodynamics expert Geoff Willis from Williams as technical director.

BAR have yet to score a point this season and finished sixth overall in 2001. Canadian former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has made no secret about his disappointment with the Honda-engined car's performance.

"We finished the race but that's the only positive thing we can take away from today," he said after finishing eighth in last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix. "Clearly there are things that need to be addressed if we are going to improve."

The team's chief operating officer, Ian Ross, who has been working with Richards to ensure a smooth transition following his arrival at the end of last year, will also depart in the shake-up.