Toyota team members charged with theft !!!

EX-TOYOTA OFFICIALS IN THE DOCK Last Updated: Monday, 16, January, 2006, 16:09:openwin('Popups/Photo.aspx?IM_ID=33604','',770,550,'yes');" target="_blank"> Three former Toyota Motorsport officials have been charged with industrial espionage, the Reuters news agency is reporting. German prosecutors have filed charges against the three unnamed individuals, accusing them of using technology – specifically a data analysis programme – purloined from Ferrari by a technician who switched to Toyota in early 2002. 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 statement said: “Separate investigations into the former Ferrari staff member are being conducted in Italy and by Cologne prosecutors.” Toyota Motorsport has not responded to the charges. A Cologne court specialising in economic malpractice will hear the case, although a date has yet to be set. EMBATTLED EX-TOYOTA OFFICIALS NAMED Last Updated: Monday, 16, January, 2006, 18:15:openwin('Popups/Photo.aspx?IM_ID=9575','',770,550,'yes');" target="_blank"> 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.