Rally GB will mark the final event for Jost Capito at the helm of Ford's European motorsport programmes.

At the end of the season he will take up a new role as Vehicle Line Director for Ford Performance Vehicles within the company's Product Development organisation.

Mark Deans will take up the new role of Motorsport Director for Ford of Europe from January 1 2008.

"I'm proud to have been heading Ford's rally programme during the most successful period in our history," said Capito.

"We've won back-to-back manufacturers' titles in the last two seasons and the Focus RS has won 15 WRC events in that period," he added.

Capito made a farewell speech during Happy Hour in the BP-Ford service area at Swansea yesterday.