Toyota announces staff reshuffle

Toshiro Kurusu replaces Ichiro Kowada, who takes up the position of general manager motorsport division, assisting the Formula 1 project once again from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.

Kurusu has been at Toyota Motorsport since January and assumed his new role at the beginning of this month when Kowada returned to Japan.

"I feel extremely privileged to be joining Toyota Motorsport at such an exciting and challenging time in our Formula 1 project," said Kurusu. "We will no doubt have many hurdles to overcome until we can show a satisfactory performance this year, but I hope I can carry on the great work of Mr. Kowada in helping to make our team a successful F1 team."

Kowada commented: "It has been a highly enjoyable and tough three years at TMG. I am sure that Mr. Kurusu is the appropriate person to whom I can leave the current difficult tasks. I have a new challenge ahead of me back in Japan from which I can continue my close involvement in the F1 programme in Toyota Motor Corporation."