Honda have appointed Ross Brawn, the former Ferrari technical director, as their new team principal.

Brawn, who spent ten years at Maranello, will work alongside Nick Fry, the current chief executive, and will be charged with full responsibility for designing, manufacturing and engineering the team’s Formula One operation from next season.

The 52-year-old was part of the Ferrari team that won six successive constructors’ championships from 1999 and worked as Benetton’s technical director when they won the constructors’ title in 1994 and 1995.

“His experience in winning world championships in Formula One will be crucial as we seek to put Honda back in to championship contention," Fry said. "I am delighted that we will be working together to achieve that."

Brawn, who begins his new job on November 26, added: “Honda has a proud heritage in Formula One and the opportunity to help the team realise its potential represents a fantastic new challenge for me in the sport.

“The team has already done a great job of giving due consideration to its future and has spent a good deal of time putting in place both people and first-class engineering resources to achieve its ambitions.”

Brawn left Ferrari in October 2006 to “turn his attention to his personal life” according to a statement at the time.

Honda had a poor 2007, with Jenson Button collecting only six points and Rubens Barrichello, his team-mate, failing to score any. The Briton called last season’s car “a complete dog” at the weekend.

Ferrari, meanwhile, announced personnel changes of their own today. Jean Todt will be replaced as Formula One team boss by sporting director Stefano Domenicali from January, the Italian team confirmed on Monday.

Frenchman Todt, who has turned Ferrari into one of Formula One’s most successful teams since joining in 1993, will stay on in a senior executive role.

Domenicali, an Italian who worked under Brawn, had taken over his current role of sporting director from Todt.