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Honda has confirmed that Yusuke Hasegawa will depart from his role in the Formula 1 project ahead of a management shake-up for the 2018 season. Hasegawa was the head of Honda's three-year stint with McLaren, which came to a close at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Next year, Honda will power Toro Rosso, Red Bull's junior team. Toyoharu Tanabe will become Honda's F1 technical director. Tanabe previously worked as senior manager of Honda Performance Development in IndyCar.
Tanabe arrives with a vast amount of experience in Formula 1. He was Gerhard Berger's engineer for McLaren-Honda in the early 90's, and also worked as Jenson Button's senior engineer at BAR and Honda from 2003 to 2007. Hasegawa will take up the role of executive chief engineer on January 1st, remaining a part of the Honda company.
"In the past, the Head of F1 Project assumed responsibility in both technological development and directing the team at the spot of racing,” said Katsuhide Moriyama, Chief Officer for Brand and Communication Operations.
"By separating these areas of responsibility, we will evolve our structure so that both the development team and racing/testing team can assume their respective responsibilities more speedily. By ensuring both the development team and racing team soundly fulfill their respective roles, Honda will continue its challenges so that fans can enjoy seeing Toro Rosso-Honda competing at the top level without further delay."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I understand that people want heads to roll, but I sorta think Hasegawa was the wrong guy to ditch. Either way, no reference to Tanabe, so I wonder how he will do. Just please dont make it another Arai.
juju_hound
Posts: 180
Ross Brawn said in a interview the biggest mistake of Honda, Toyota is that they are not allowing to work close with people who knows bit more about F1 than them. Japanese like to work with the doors being closed but this is not the right way.
Barron
Posts: 625
Was there a sword involved?