Force India are ninth in the constructors' championship

Force India have announced ex-Honda executive Otmar Szafnauer will take over as the team's chief operating officer at the end of the 2009 season.

The American will succeed Simon Roberts, who returns to McLaren after an attachment, from 2 November.

"We are sad to see Simon go as he has been a crucial lynchpin," said Force India owner Vijay Mallya ahead of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Romania-born Szafnauer has worked with BAR as well as Honda's F1 team.

"We are confident that Otmar, with his wealth of F1 experience, will be a worthy successor and will continue the strong upward trend we have seen in the last half of the season," added Indian billionaire Mallya.

Force India are ninth in the Constructors' Championship standings with 13 points.

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