Toyota Stole Design Secrets From Ferrari In '02?

[Lee]

(Taken from ITV.com/f1)

The three former Toyota employees charged with using stolen technology from Ferrari have been named.

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.

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.

That was unexpected, the 3 men in question could be uber screwed indeed, but what about that technician? Could he/she be slapped with a jail sentance?

 

[Scaff]

(Taken from ITV.com/f1)

That was unexpected, the 3 men in question could be uber screwed indeed, but what about that technician? Could he/she be slapped with a jail sentance?

Opps, but lets be honest, this almost certainly goes on a lot more than I think anyone in F1 would admit.

They just had the misfortune to get caught.

I do like the bit about Toyota Motorsport distancing themselves, running away as fast as possiable I would think. LOL

Regards

Scaff

 

[Blake]

Yeah, this issue is kind of old, but I didn’t expect to see the name Ove Andersson on the list of people charged…

 

[Omnis]

Man, F that guy. They fired his ass for a reason.

 

[Appie]

man i didntt knew that

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Man, F that guy. They fired his ass for a reason.

He wasn't fired. He retired. and it's not even as if he "retired suddenly to spend more time with his family". He served a six month notice period.

There was a lot of talk at the time that if you took all the paint off the two cars, they would be virtually indistinguishable, but I doubt it was that simple. Still, the Germans must feel that they have a strong case if they're charging everyone.

 

[Lee]

What about the other 2, are they still part of the team?

 

[X-Othermic]

Why did they bother to do that? Toyota have so much money they could probably make their own device like that anyway.

 

[Omnis]

He wasn't fired. He retired. and it's not even as if he "retired suddenly to spend more time with his family". He served a six month notice period.

There was a lot of talk at the time that if you took all the paint off the two cars, they would be virtually indistinguishable, but I doubt it was that simple. Still, the Germans must feel that they have a strong case if they're charging everyone.

Hahaha. Yeah, I was just messing around. Obviously, I hope for the best for everyone.

 

[McLaren]

What about the other 2, are they still part of the team?

You should know Bee.

"The three former Toyota employees..."

 

[Mt. Lynx]

I think ther whole deal is bull. And I´m not at all surprised to see Ferrari involved in this either. They´re so anal about themselves it´s not even laughable.

 

[THE ED3]

What did you guys expect from those filthy buggers at toyota? They're evil I tell you...

 

[Lee]

You should know Bee.

"The three former Toyota employees..."

Oh yeah...

 

[L8 Apex]

What did you guys expect from those filthy buggers at toyota? They're evil I tell you...

Now, now, just because they'll have surpassed Grossly Mismanaged...er...General Motors as the world's #1 automaker by this time next year doesn't mean Toyota is evil. After all, look at all the splendiferous, earth-saving hybrids they've built... *cough*SARCASM*cough*

 

[Schrodes]

Why did they bother to do that? Toyota have so much money they could probably make their own device like that anyway.

If I remember correctly, the stolen technology in question was on the technicians personal computer, not Toyota's. Probably a case of a new employee trying to impress the new employer. If it was on Toyota's computer or on their premisis I imagine they too would be in deep ****.