Ferrari confirm Jock Clear on his way to Maranello

Ferrari has confirmed the impending arrival at Maranello of former Mercedes engineer Jock Clear.

Just before last Christmas, Mercedes confirmed reports that reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton's highly-experienced performance engineer Clear is leaving the team.

Earlier reports had suggested Briton Clear, also well known for working alongside champions Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, was headed to Ferrari.

"After leaving Mercedes, Clear cannot now work in formula one for a year," the German newspaper Bild had claimed.

However, it was expected that Ferrari would want Clear to join the team earlier than that, meaning it must reach an agreement with Mercedes.

Clear's impending arrival at Ferrari was confirmed this week by technical boss James Allison, during a wide-ranging interview with the Italian magazine Autosprint.

It is believed Clear will head up the engineering team at Ferrari in a role similar to that previously held by Pat Fry, who departed at the end of last year.