Ex-Honda boss Clarke joins de Ferran

As president of Honda Performance Development, Clarke ran Honda's highly-successful Champ Car and IndyCar programmes, and initiated the American Le Mans Series Acura project that the de Ferran team are involved in, before retiring in early 2008.

Clarke said he been hired so that team owner/driver Gil de Ferran could focus more on his racing duties. The former Indianapolis 500 winner will partner Simon Pagenaud again this season as his team debut the new LMP1 Acura in the ALMS.

"Gil has been struggling to cope with all the demands that come with running a business, plus those of being a primary driver and assisting with the development of the new ARX-02a," said Clarke.

"I believe I can help Gil and the team by removing a portion of the workload while bringing more than 27 years of Honda corporate experience.

"We have been communicating closely over the past year and I am hugely impressed with what he has achieved to date."

De Ferran believes Clarke's arrival is a major boost for the team.

"I know and have worked with Robert in different capacities since 1996 and I believe we have employed one of the best and most experienced executives in this industry," he said.

"He is a unique talent, well versed in dealing with governing bodies, major manufacturers, teams and sponsors at the very highest level and I believe his appointment will play a key role in elevating our team to another level of professionalism."