CHRIS Saunders has returned to Huntingdon-based Lola Group as its technical centre manager after four and a half years working for the Red Bull and Torro Rosso F1 organisations.

Chris will bring a wealth of experience in wind tunnel facilities, which stretches back to working with Williams and McLaren F1 teams in the 1980s, the St Peter’s Road company said.

“One of the founding fathers of the Lola half- scale on-site wind tunnel, Chris will be spearheading a new drive in commercial business for the renowned technical capabilities at Huntingdon,” a Lola spokesman added.

“Chris implemented the planning and building of the Lola wind tunnel, executing the vision of Lola owner and executive chairman Martin Birrane to create one of the very best commercially-available technical centres in the country.”

Robin Brundle, managing director of Lola Cars International Ltd, added: “I am delighted to welcome Chris back to Lola at an exciting time for the company. We have appointed Chris to steer our technical centre in to new commercial areas. He will be part of our senior team here at Lola, and I am confident that he will deliver a successful expansion and development to benefit our current and future customers.”