DECEMBER 19, 2003

Toyota moves Andersson aside

Ove Andersson, the boss of Toyota Motorsport and the man who built the Formula 1 team, is to stand down after more than 30 years with the Japanese car manufacturer. Andersson will remain as a consultant to the company but his role will largely be taken over by Toyota Motorsport GmbH chairman Tsutomu Tomita. Tomita has been with Toyota since 1969 and has been one of the forces behind the F1 plans in recent years. Tomita will work with Toyota Motorsport president John Howett

"We can not thank Ove enough for his contribution to Toyota Motorsport's activities and achievements," said Tomita. "Ove's move is along the lines of Toyota's policy which sees its employees taking up new roles at certain points in their career within the company."