Jul.1 (GMM) Philippe Gurdjian, president and managing director of the French formula one test circuit Paul Ricard, is stepping down.

Earlier this year, he was drafted in to oversee the development of the Abu Dhabi circuit, which will make its debut on the F1 calendar next year.

He was instrumental in Paul Ricard's complete overhaul at the Le Castellet site since 2001, and also played a key role in the establishment of the Bahrain grand prix in 2004.

"I am reorienting my professional life taking on some of the other challenges that await me," he said.