Toyota thanks Montagny and hires Kobayashi as a test driver

Yesterday in Barcelona was Franck Montagny's last commitment in the role of test driver for Toyota F1 and the Japanese team used the opportunity to bid farewell to the French driver in an official press release.

John Howett, President:
“Working with Franck this year has been a positive experience and he has given a lot to the team. His work in testing was remarkable and he helped us improve the car's performance. He is a boy with a jovial character but is also very applied at work. We enjoyed having him with us and we will miss him."

Pascal Vasselon, Senior General Manager Chassis:
“Frank has spent himself generously in this year's work as third driver and we have benefited from his experience and enthusiasm. His feedback was always excellent and he had a great relationship with the team. We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him the best for the future."

Gerd Pfeiffer, Test team manager:
“This year, we have worked with total satisfaction together with Franck, who has made his important contribution to our test program for 2007. He is a fast and intelligent driver and it has been a real pleasure to collaborate with him. I believe we will all miss him and I would like to wish him the best in his future choices”.

In another press release issued a few hours later, Toyota F1 announced that F3 Euroseries driver Kamui Kobayashi will take on the role of test driver and reserve driver. The twenty-one-year-old Kobayashi has been in the Japanese company's orbit since 2001 and had his first single-seater experiences in the Japanese Formula Toyota Championship in the 2002 racing season.

(d.07)