Rene Verbist, one of the co-founders of Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, has parted ways with the team, it has been revealed.

Verbist, who along with Vincent Vosse and Yves Weerts launched WRT in 2009, has served as the team’s technical director, contributing to its considerable success in sports car racing, primarily with Audi machinery, for nearly the last decade.

“[The] time has come for WRT and me to take different paths,” Verbist said. “Clearly, it is always emotional to say goodbye, but this is positive for both sides.

“The almost ten years spent at Team WRT have been simply sensational and I am proud to be part of such a success story since its very birth.”

Team principal Vosse has called Verbist as one of the “driving forces” to its multiple titles in the Blancpain GT Series and other championships worldwide.

“We thank René for his many and valuable contributions to Team WRT,” Vosse said.

“He has been one of the driving forces of our company and there is no doubt that without his technical competence and expertise, his commitment and hard work, Team WRT would not be where it is today.”

Verbist said his retirement from the team will provide more time for “other personal projects and family.”

“I have been lucky to be successful during more than 25 years of motorsports in different activities and I realize how much supported I have been by my family in all my professional challenges,” he said.

The Belgian squad will again return to the Blancpain GT Series with multiple Audi R8 LMS entries, as well as likely tackling the full Intercontinental GT Challenge season.

WRT is the second leading European GT3 team to have lost its technical director in the off-season, with Renaud Dufour departing HTP Motorsport late last year.

No word has been given on replacements for either team.