Ferrari make changes following Fernando Alonso failure

Alonso missed out on the title due to a poor pit decision (GETTY IMAGES)

Chris Dyer has been replaced as Ferrari's head of race track engineering by Pat Fry following Fernando Alonso's failure to win the 2010 Formula One world championship.

Dyer's role in the team will be "redefined" in the next few days, after the strategic pit-stop error at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November resulted in a seventh-place finish for Alonso.

Ferrari today announced a team reshuffle in a statement which read: "Joining the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro is the respected engineer, Neil Martin, who takes on the role of heading up the new operations research department.

"A 38-year-old Englishman, Martin previously worked for Red Bull and prior to that McLaren and he will now report directly to technical director, Aldo Costa.

"At the same time, Costa's deputy, Pat Fry will, in addition to his current role, take on the job of head of race track engineering.

"Up until yesterday, this position was held by Chris Dyer and his role within the company will be redefined in the next few days."

A top-two finish would have guaranteed Alonso the title for a third time, or a top-four place would have been enough if rival Sebastian Vettel won the race.

But Alonso could only finish seventh after being brought in for an early pit-stop, crowning Vettel champion.