Technical director Giorgio Ascanelli set to leave Toro Rosso

Ascanelli, who joined Toro Rosso in 2007 and oversaw its maiden race victory with Sebastian Vettel at Monza a year later, is not at the German Grand Prix and is officially "on holiday".

But sources indicate that he is unlikely to return to action with the team.

AUTOSPORT understands that the move comes as a result of disagreements between Ascanelli and Toro Rosso ownership over the car's development approach after a disappointing season. It is believed that the situation came to a head over the British Grand Prix weekend.

"I can only tell you that Giorgio Ascanelli is on holidays," said team principal Franz Tost when asked by AUTOSPORT about Ascanelli's status. "There is confidentiality between the two parties, that's all I can say."

When pressed for further details, he added: "Sorry - I have said everything."

Moves are underway for changes in the technical management of the team, although given the short amount of time since Ascanelli's departure, nothing is yet finalised.

Tost believes that the team, which has not scored a point since Jean-Eric Vergne finished eighth in Malaysia, can turn things around in the second half of the year.

"We started the season quite well and we scored points at the beginning," he said. "Then in Monaco, Jean-Eric was in seventh place 10 laps from the end but it started to rain and di Resta and some others could pass him. In Valencia, Daniel had a good chance to score points but then he had a crash with Petrov.

"We will come up with some new upgrades for the next races and hope that it's wet tomorrow here and on Sunday. It looks like the car and the drivers are quite competitive.

"I'm quite positive and optimistic for the second half of the season."