Toyota Motorsport and Mike Gascoyne part company
Toyota Motorsport and its Technical Director Chassis, Mike
Gascoyne, have reached a mutual agreement which will see both
parties terminate their working relationship with immediate
effect. Gascoyne will remain a fully contracted employee of
Toyota Motorsport until the end of October 2006.
Toyota Motorsport and Mike Gascoyne have developed different
opinions about the future direction of the technical operations
in the team's chassis and engineering areas, which have resulted
in the need for a change on both sides. Toyota Motorsport
and Mike Gascoyne have both agreed that a separation has become
necessary.
Gascoyne has been based primarily in Germany since he joined
Toyota's Cologne-based Formula 1 team in December 2003. After
such a long period of time based away from home, this decision
will enable him to spend more time with his family.
Mike Gascoyne said: "Obviously, it is the end of an
era but nobody can dispute that Toyota has made a big step
forward over the last two seasons. We have now reached a crossroads
in our working relationship and I believe that it is the right
time for us to part ways amicably and for me to move back
to the UK where I can also enjoy spending more time with my
family. I extend my thanks to all members of the team and
wish them a successful future in Formula 1."
Tsutomu Tomita, Chairman of Toyota Motorsport said: "Although
we have reached a joint decision to go our separate ways,
I wish to extend my sincerest gratitude to Mike for the indisputable
contribution he has made to our team over the last few years.
This separation should in no way undermine the work he has
done, nor reflect his technical expertise. We all wish him
well for the future."
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