20/07/2011
NEWS STORY
Ferrari's former technical director Aldo Costa has left the Italian team.
Costa, who joined the legendary Maranello outfit from Minardi in 1996, was dropped as technical director in the wake of the Spanish Grand Prix when, following a brilliant start which saw him lead the race for the first 16 laps, Fernando Alonso suffered the indignity of being lapped by the race leaders in the closing stages.
Days later, a brief statement was issued by Italian team stating that with immediate effect, Costa had relinquished his role to "take on new responsibilities within the company".
Today it was confirmed that Costa has officially parted ways with Ferrari, however, he will remain on 'gardening leave' until the end of the year.
In the wake of the team's 2010 defeat there were calls in the Italian media and even from Italian politicians for company president Luca di Montezemolo to stand down. Ultimately however, it was head of race track engineering Chris Dyer who fell on his sword.