Aston Martin recruits Alfa Romeo chief designer Furbatto

Aston Martin is set to strengthen its technical department with the hiring of Alfa Romeo chief designer Luca Furbatto as the team's new engineering director while technical director Andy Green takes up the role of Chief Technology Officer.

Furbatto began his career in Formula 1 in the 1990s as a performance engineer with BAR, subsequently working for Toyota before enjoying a ten-year stint at McLaren.

In 2011, Furbatto moved to Toro Rosso where he remained for three years. He later joined Manor as its chief designer before moving to Sauber Motorsport in June 2017.

As Aston Martin looks to the future, Furbatto's joining is "the first of a number of significant new hires" according to the Silverstone-based team which will continue to bolster its technical operations as part of its plans to join the front of the grid in F1.

"As we continue to add weight to our technical team, we are hugely excited that Luca Furbatto has chosen to join Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team," said team principal Otmar Szafnauer.

"Working with our existing Engineering Group, he will bring a valuable perspective and knowledge to help shape our approach in the short and medium term.

"This appointment coincides with Andrew Green stepping up to a new role where he will take a global perspective on the company’s mid to long-term technical strategy."

• Read also: Aston Martin targets 'winning title' within five years

Furbatto will report directly to Green who takes up the new position as CTO of Aston Martin.

"It is very exciting to join Aston Martin as Engineering Director," said the Italian.

"It is a project that has all the ingredients for success – committed leadership, a talented workforce, and fresh investment in resources.

"I am looking forward to playing my part in establishing this team at the very top of the sport."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter