New designer for BMW

The 39-year-old Swiss has been promoted from his role as head of composite design and replaces Jorg Zander, who left the team to join Honda's aerodynamics department during the summer.

"On principle, we fill executive positions internally whenever possible," team boss Mario Theissen said.

"It sends an important signal to our workforce, [and] I am delighted that, in Christoph Zimmermann, we have a highly qualified colleague in our ranks who will take over the task of chief designer.

"From his previous work, he is familiar with the complex technical relationships, as well as the specific operational procedures involved."

Zimmerman, whose old role will be filled by someone else from within the team, worked for Sauber from 1989 - 1999 before moving to British chassis constructors Swift.

He returned though in 2000, and has remained with the team since, through it's buy-out by BMW. In his new role he will be directly responsible to technical director Willy Rampf.