Manor has appointed former McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan to the role of racing director with immediate effect.
Ryan joined McLaren as a mechanic in the 1970s and worked his way up to the role of sporting director before his departure in 2009. He has been away from the F1 grid since then and has been working for the Von Ryan Racing team in the Blancpain Endurance Series.
Ryan is set to return to replace the outgoing sporting director Graeme Lowdon, who will leave Manor at the end of the year along with team prinicpal John Booth, after a difference of opinions over the future of the team with current owner Stephen Fitzpatrick. The New Zealander joins Manor at a time of change, with the minnows set to receive Mercedes power for 2016.
"I'm very excited to be joining the Manor Marussia F1 Team at a pivotal time in their development," Ryan said. "Having spent time with Stephen, and understood his vision for the future, it is clear he has ensured there is a strong platform from which the team can make big steps forward in the seasons ahead.
"Manor has all the hallmarks of a fiercely competitive racing team, but having grown up in a much more contemporary Formula 1 era, it is a very lean operation with a collaborative culture, which leaves it well placed to contend with the sport's future direction. There is clearly a big challenge ahead and a lot of work to do, but I can't wait to meet the wider team and get down to business."
Fitzpatrick added: "I'm delighted to announce Dave's appointment in the newly created position of Racing Director. He needs no introduction, of course, having spent 34 years within the sport contributing to an incredible tally of race and championship wins.
"Along with our new Mercedes Benz power unit, technical partnership with Williams and recent additions to the design and technical team, Dave's arrival is another important step towards our goal of creating a truly competitive racing team.
"I am also able to confirm that John Booth and Graeme Lowdon will be leaving the team at the end of the current season. I have the utmost respect for them as individuals and for all they have achieved, both with this team and in their long careers in Motorsport, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work and dedication during this season in particular. Like every great story, there comes a time to start a new chapter."