Ascanelli re-emerges at F1 brake supplier Brembo

Giorgio Ascanelli, the well-known engineer who last year left his post as Toro Rosso’s technical director, has re-emerged at F1 brake supplier Brembo.

Following recent speculation, we reported last month that rumours the 53-year-old Italian is returning to the sport with Ferrari were wide of the mark.

"Ascanelli is about to return to F1; the team’s name is not yet known," Autosprint correspondent Alberto Antonini said on January 15.

In fact, Ascanelli has signed on with Brembo as the brake supplier’s chief technical officer.

"With the arrival of Giorgio Ascanelli, Brembo is looking to give fresh impetus into the company and bring new skills to an area of activity that has always been its main engine," the Italian company said in a statement.

He began his career at Ferrari in the mid 80s, and was Gerhard Berger’s engineer. He moved to Benetton and McLaren, at the latter team working alongside the great Ayrton Senna.

Ascanelli returned to Ferrari in 1995, staying until 2001. Autosprint said he left Toro Rosso, who replaced him with James Key, "after an argument" with team boss Franz Tost.