Toyota names new president for WEC program

Toyota Gazoo Racing has announced today that Hisatake Murata (pictured above) is now the team president of its WEC LMP1 effort, and president of Toyota Motorsport GmbH.

Murata, is taking over from Toshio Sato, who held the position since April 2015, and has now been reassigned to a key role within the Power Train Company of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Murata has been responsible for Toyota's hybrid powertrain development in motorsport from the very first racing hybrid in 2006, and he has overseen the FIA WEC project since the team's 2012 entry. He will now bring his experience from Toyota's IndyCar, Group C, Super GT and Super Formula programs to the FIA WEC. Additionally, he will also be responsible for TMG's other activities, which include R&D projects for Toyota Motor Corporation, third party services and customer motorsport.

He will work closely with Rob Leupen, managing director and vice president business operations and Pascal Vasselon, vice president of technical engineering.

"I am proud to take this new role at TMG. Since the beginning of our hybrid LMP1 project, I have built up a strong relationship with TMG members so I am looking forward to working together even more closely as we push to succeed in all areas," Murata said. "I would like to sincerely thank Sato for his leadership of TMG since 2015 and wish him all the best in his new position."

Toshio Sato added, "I want to thank everyone in the Toyota Gazoo Racing team and at TMG for their hard work and dedication during the last three seasons. It has been a pleasure to be part of both organisations and I am proud of the improvement we achieved together after a difficult 2015 season.

"I am starting a new chapter in my career within the Power Train Company but I will always support TMG and the team. Murata has my full support and I wish him a successful time at TMG."