Preston, who held the position of chief technical officer, will assume the role of technical director with immediate effect, the team said, but he will continue to attend all Grands Prix while managing the design and research department at the team's factory in Leafield.

"I am glad that Aguri has been able to bring stability to the team and cement our future direction," Preston commented. "It is a credit to all who have worked so hard and delivered so much over this first year of racing.

"Through our constant improvement, we have come from approximately 7% off the pace at our first Grand Prix in Bahrain and are now within 3% of the front runners at recent races, a huge effort in anyone's books!"

At the same time, current chief race engineer Graham Taylor is promoted to the role of sporting director.

The team said the new role will see Taylor responsible for, among other, "the image, professionalism and development" of the Super Aguri outfit, with a view of future development of the race team.

Further appointments include Ben Wood in the position of head of aerodynamics; Stephen Watt as head of electronics; and Gerry Hughes as head of research and development, as well as maintaining his role of race engineer for Takuma Sato.

"These internal promotions reflect the commitment to further strengthening the team's future," Preston added.