Although the Japanese team has yet to issue an official statement, Geoff Willis has left Honda, less than twenty-fours hours after being dropped as technical director in favour of Shuhei Nakamoto.

There has been speculation over Willis for some time, with some claiming he was to take more of a 'back room' role back at the team's Brackley HQ. However, once the appointment of Nakamoto as senior technical director had been announced many assumed it was simply a matter of time before Willis walked.

Since Honda bought the remaining shareholding in BAR and renamed the team, things have never quite gelled and many F1 insiders believe that there will be further departures with some opting to go before being pushed.

It has been a nightmare season for Honda thus far, and there is no real sign that things are going to get any better, certainly in the short term.

Willis joined BAR in 2002 from WilliamsF1, where, in a thirteen-year stint he progressed to the role of chief aerodynamicist. Previously, having gained a degree in Engineering at Cambridge, and a PhD in Engineering Science at Exeter University, he joined the Blue Arrow America's Cup yacht team, moving, in 1990, to Leyton House, where he worked with Adrian Newey, who he subsequently joined at WilliamsF1.