JULY 9, 2004

Another change at Ford

The management of the Ford Motor Company is constantly moving structure with the latest development being the departure of the team's chief strategist Bruce Blythe, after less than a year in the job. Blythe will move to being a consultant to chief executive Bill Ford Jr. Blythe has been a very influential figure in Ford for the last few years, moving the company back towards its core businesses after a period of diversification. The company will not be replacing Blythe.

It is unlikely that Blythe's departure will have any effect on the decision-making processes in F1. Our sources say that the plan remains for Jaguar Racing to continue much as it is in F1, despite rumours that the programme might be axed or turned into a Ford-badged operation.