EX-TOYOTA OFFICIALS CHARGED
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Three former Toyota Motorsport officials have been charged with industrial espionage, the Reuters news agency is reporting.
All were high-level personnel from the Japanese outfit: team principal Ove Andersson, chief designer Gustav Brunner and Rene Hilhorst, head of aerodynamics.
The three men are accused of violating German competition law by using a data analysis programme brought over by a technician who moved from Ferrari to Toyota in early 2002, Cologne prosecutors revealed in a statement earlier today.
The Toyota officials are alleged to have used the programme to develop their cars in 2002 and 2003 in the knowledge that they had obtained the software illegally.
A Toyota spokeswoman confirmed the identity of the three individuals, but distanced the company from the specific charges being brought.
“Toyota Motorsport has not been formally notified of the above matter and does not have full knowledge of the specific issues,” she said.
“Toyota Motorsport would like to stress that the charges have not been brought against the company.
“For this reason, Toyota wishes to refrain from further comment, but remains confident that the situation will be resolved with a positive conclusion for those involved.”
Andersson was head of the Toyota F1 team in 2002-03, its first two years in the sport. -
wow...
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yea wow. hey for the mod, u're not keeping us very up to date are u?
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What a way to start the new season. Will it affect Toyota's continued participation in F1?
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Doubt it - the charges don't relate to the current car. Maybe they'll strip Toyota of their results in the relevant years, though.
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thats gonna be pointless(no pun intended).Originally posted by Gedanken:Doubt it - the charges don't relate to the current car. Maybe they'll strip Toyota of their results in the relevant years, though.
i think a hefty fine would be more likely, although honestly whatever punishment should be metted out on those 3. -
sorry lah... school reopens and i get sick... miss the holiday
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then better appoint a better mod lehOriginally posted by SBS9828X:sorry lah... school reopens and i get sick... miss the holiday -
I recommend someone like Gedanken.Originally posted by HENG@:then better appoint a better mod leh 