Andersson Steps Down as Toyota Boss

Toyota's team principal Ove Andersson will be replaced by Tsutomu Tomita at the Japanese squad, it was announced today.

65-year old Andersson, who has been managing Toyota's European motorsport arm for over 30 years, will become an advisor to the company.

"I want to thank Toyota for having given me chances in its various motorsport activities and I am proud to continue to support the company in my new role," said Andersson. "Thirty years ago I started with three people in Belgium. Since then I have set a lot of targets and I have achieved them together with Toyota.

"Together, we manufactured Toyota's first ever Formula One car. When it appeared on the grid at the Australian GP in 2002, it was an amazing feeling for me that I will never forget. I am sure Toyota will succeed in Formula One and I look forward to seeing its first victory in the future."

Tomita, the chairman of Toyota Motorsport GmbH, started his career with Toyota in 1969 as an engine development engineer. In 1996, he became a member of Toyota Board of Directors and was responsible for all international Toyota Motorsport activities.

Tomita was the driving force behind Toyota's decision to enter Formula One and in July 2003 he moved to Toyota Motorsport's factory in Cologne to spearhead Toyota's F1 activities on site.

"We can not thank Ove enough for his contribution to Toyota Motorsport's activities and achievements," Tomita said. "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. From next season I will manage both the company and the race activities together with President John Howett.

"With the help and advice of Ove, my mission is to make Panasonic Toyota Racing one of the top Formula One teams as soon as possible."