Gascoyne Joins Toyota!!!

Led ZeppF1 · 15 Oct 2003, 08:27 (Ref:751830)

Toyota Motorsport GmbH has today announced that Mike Gascoyne has signed a
contract to become Technical Director Chassis for the Panasonic Toyota
Racing team.

http://www.pitpass.com/news2/news.cfm?newsid=7790

ASCII Man · 15 Oct 2003, 08:30 (Ref:751832)

I knew it!
Renault are screwed if they don't find a good replacement.

twig · 15 Oct 2003, 08:34 (Ref:751838)

I think this was news a while ago wasnt it? I knew it from somewhere a while ago.

Renault will have a good group of people around Gasgoyne, and hopefully they will continue with their success. But Toyota have a very VERY good designer there.

Led ZeppF1 · 15 Oct 2003, 08:36 (Ref:751839)

And Toyota will be a 'monster' next year...

Super Tourer · 15 Oct 2003, 08:37 (Ref:751841)

Toyota cheque book wins the day - I think the term is offer he couldn't refuse!

Signals that Toyota means business, going to be interesting to watch them over the next two seasons.

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Oct 2003, 08:40 (Ref:751842)

With his knowledge and Michelin tyres it should bode well. Now they need two good drivers (although Da Matta is shapeing up well).

kdr · 15 Oct 2003, 08:44 (Ref:751848)

maybe thats why schumi was seen in a toyota shirt and cap...jumping ships!

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Oct 2003, 08:45 (Ref:751850)

oops!

Smokey 6 litre · 15 Oct 2003, 08:54 (Ref:751857)

Toyota have the money, the designers and the ambition to be a collosus, but i wonder whether they have the drivers or the commitment to make it last.

**Adam43** · 15 Oct 2003, 09:03 (Ref:751864)

Quote:

Originally posted by twig
I think this was news a while ago wasnt it? I knew it from somewhere a while ago.

Yes this has been long rumoured, but now we have confirmation.

It'll not be a quick change, is it too late for next year's car (I am guessing that there is no need for gardening leave).

In Toyota and Renault's case one man doesn't make a team, however he is and was an important part.

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Oct 2003, 09:06 (Ref:751865)

He's also been a bit of a mouthpiece for Renault this year. What were his comments re Button etc?

Led ZeppF1 · 15 Oct 2003, 09:21 (Ref:751871)

Quote:

Originally posted by Super Tourer
[B]...the term is offer he couldn't refuse!/B]

Well, its like an offer from the Godfather in mafia world...

Sorry, I just rewatch the Godfather trilogy movies.

Brandy_snap · 15 Oct 2003, 09:23 (Ref:751872)

Quote:

Originally posted by ASCII Man
I knew it!
Renault are screwed if they don't find a good replacement.

I totally agree

Super Tourer · 15 Oct 2003, 09:30 (Ref:751880)

http://www.pitpass.com/news2/news.cfm?newsid=7791

They've appointed his successor - Gascoyne's deputy.

jetsetter · 15 Oct 2003, 09:30 (Ref:751881)

It's going to improve Toyota dramatically.

ljakse · 15 Oct 2003, 09:34 (Ref:751886)

Yep, money talks in this case.
And I too think Toyota will bw much stronger in the (near) future. Their engine has never been highly praised, but they allways mannged to achieve top-5 top speeds (top 3 if you look only constructors) on the speed traps, and with Gascoigne's help, the chassis should quickly improve for better cornering, and there they go...

Quote:

It'll not be a quick change, is it too late for next year's car (I am guessing that there is no need for gardening leave).

Since it's Toyota we're talking about I wouldn't be surprised at all if they make new one. (It's not my beloved macaroons, you know

)

And Renault? Well, if they have lost chief engine designer, I wouldn't be worried at all, but this might leave some consequences.

Glen · 15 Oct 2003, 09:45 (Ref:751902)

Quote:

Originally posted by ljakse
Their engine has never been highly praised, but they allways mannged to achieve top-5 top speeds (top 3 if you look only constructors) on the speed traps...

Other way round surely? The Toyota engine as been widely praised from the outset, with a lack of finesse in the chassis and aerodynamics departments being blamed for taking the edge off their competitiveness.

I think 2004 will be too soon to make a very big difference, but certainly the year following that we will see Toyota rising to challenge Renault. BAR and Jaguar should be very concerned by this news.

BootsOntheSide · 15 Oct 2003, 10:00 (Ref:751909)

As he's not joining until 1 Dec, I suspect they will not be able to start the season with one of his deisgns. The only possibility is that they deosign an interim car from this year's model, and introduce the enw car if/when ready (look at McLaren).

The chassis has been a major weak link at Toyota in the past. Both drivers are confirmed for 2004, but a new lineup after that seems likely. Ralf? DC?

Toyota race victories by 2006 now seem likely. Renault advanced significantly and Jordan declined badly over the 2 years after Mike's last switch, but bear in mind that Jordan lost most of their technical staff to Benetton at that time; they followed Mike. Bob Bell, who takes over at the to at Renault, may well be one of the former Jordan guys.

ljakse · 15 Oct 2003, 10:03 (Ref:751913)

No, I really ment that it's never been too praised - it was allways in the shadow of BMW, Mercedes and Ferrari engines (not that anybody said it was bad).
And for the rest, yes, that's it.

Mr V · 15 Oct 2003, 10:03 (Ref:751915)

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamAshmore

In Toyota and Renault's case one man doesn't make a team, however he is and was an important part.

Correct, one man doesn't make a team, however it's who he can persuade to go to Toyota with him.

IIRC, Mike took a few people to Renault with him from Jordan, look at the trouble they have been in the last few years.

Renault are too good to go down the Jordan route, but it will be a mighty blow to them and a very good signing for Toyota.

**Adam43** · 15 Oct 2003, 10:07 (Ref:751919)

Quote:

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
As he's not joining until 1 Dec, I suspect they will not be able to start the season with one of his deisgns. The only possibility is that they deosign an interim car from this year's model, and introduce the enw car if/when ready (look at McLaren).

Toyota have said they don't want to do a new car mid-season. There new challenger will be at Melbourne. (Of course this may change).

However all cars are continually evolved and Gascoyne can have a hand in this.

Super Tourer · 15 Oct 2003, 10:11 (Ref:751926)

Yep, I think a lot of aero tweaks throughout the year and development parts.

It's interesting that with all the hundreds (thousands collectively) employed by the F1 teams, there are probably on 6 people in F1 with the technical influence to dramatically alter a teams fortunes.

Hence the market in technical directors is almost the same as the top drivers.

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Oct 2003, 10:11 (Ref:751929)

Where does Symonds sit in all of this. I'm being a bit vague but isn't he part of the Renault design team too?

Super Tourer · 15 Oct 2003, 10:33 (Ref:751956)

Peter - He is, but is he more on the race engineering side than design these days?

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Oct 2003, 10:37 (Ref:751961)

Hmm.

And he was IIRC the owner of Symtek.

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