Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe have today confirmed to DSC that they have made changes to the roles and responsibilities of some of their senior management team ahead of the 2024 season.
That restructure involves a change in the management of the technical side of the company’s programmes with David Floury, who joined TGR from Oreca in 2022, named as acting Technical Director.
Floury will report to Rob Leupen and therefore replaces Pascal Vasselon in the role, at present.
Toyota’s long-time technical head remains with the company and is understood to be involved with the delivery of a programme to review the organisation’s management structure. At present he is not involved with the day to day operations of the team, a position that looks set to remain for the 2024 season.
Vasselon has been at the technical helm of Toyota’s sportscar programme since the start of the Cologne-run effort in 2012, a period that saw huge success for the team including six World Manufacturers Championship wins and five consecutive Le Mans 24 Hours victories from 2018 – 2022.
In answer to an enquiry from DSC, a Toyota Gazoo Racing Spokesman provided the following statement:
“TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe is setting its course to develop the next generation of company leadership as part of its commitment to continuous improvement and making ever-better motorsport-bred cars.
“As a first step, an updated top management organisation has been implemented, led by President Masato Hirai, Vice Chairman Kazuki Nakajima and Managing Director Rob Leupen.
“A process is underway to further develop an efficient management organization and empower the next generation of leaders.
“David Floury has accepted a role as acting Technical Director, reporting to Rob Leupen. The positions of John Litjens and Norio Aoki, respective project leaders of WEC and WRC Engine, are unchanged and both will now report to David Floury.
“Pascal Vasselon’s role in day-to-day operations is temporarily paused, although TGR-E expects him to resume an active role soon, contributing his knowledge and experience to enhance TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s strategic approach to global motorsport.
“Further information will be communicated at the conclusion of the process.”
