F1: Verstappen's engineer leaves Toro Rosso

Xevi Pujolar, who worked alongside Max Verstappen during the teenager's time at Toro Rosso, has left the Formula 1 team.

Verstappen's switch to Red Bull, with the ousted Daniil Kvyat returning to the team where he started his F1 career instead, is understood to have resulted in an internal reshuffle at Toro Rosso. Despite Pujolar's exit, he will not be joining Verstappen at Red Bull.

Pujolar confirmed his departure via social media.

"I did really enjoy and feel really proud of the work I did with Toro Rosso," he posted on Twitter. "Now time to get ready for the next challenge. Grazie Faenza."

Verstappen acknowledged the work put in by Pujolar as he tweeted in reply: "We did a great job together, mate. You will come back stronger than ever."

Pujolar joined Toro Rosso from Williams at the end of the 2013 season. Toro Rosso recently added former Manor team principal John Booth to its lineup on a "consultancy basis" in the role of director of racing.

Originally on Autosport.com