DECEMBER 1, 2006

Toyota puts fuel cell guru into F1

Toyota Motorsport GmbH has announced that Tadashi Yamashina, who oversees motorsport-related activities, has been appointed the new vice chairman of the Cologne-based operation. Yamashina will remain in charge of both TMC's Motor Sports Division and Motorsport Business Management Department.

Toyota Motor Company vice-president Kazuo Okamoto, the man in overall charge of the F1 operations, said that the team "needs to strengthen its organization, so we have decided to send Yamashina to head up the technical development. He not only has technological knowledge but also a wealth of overseas experience, thus we're looking forward to the leadership he will bring".

Yamashina joined Toyota in 1977 and rose through the ranks to become president of Toyota Technical Center USA Inc in 2001. In 2003 he joined the top management in Japan and was responsible for the development of fuel cell technologies, before being assigned to the motorsport division earlier this year.