The operational structure of Toyota's rally division has undergone a high-level transition following the departure of Yuichiro Haruna as managing director of the Finland-based Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team Oy. The Finnish subsidiary has been overseen by Haruna since its establishment back in 2022 as an integral part of Toyota Motor Corporation.
As part of an internal corporate reorganization within the Japanese automotive giant, Haruna is transitioning to new duties elsewhere in the organization. Taking over the vacant leadership role is Masato Hirai. The official confirmation regarding this management change was provided to media outlets by team deputy operations director Jarmo Lehtinen.
Masato Hirai brings extensive corporate and motorsport experience to his new role, having previously served as one of the managing directors at Toyota Racing, the Cologne-based subsidiary overseeing the manufacturer's endurance racing activities in the WEC. He will now shoulder the additional responsibility of steering the Finnish rally headquarters.
Addressing the leadership shift, Lehtinen emphasized that Hirai's comprehensive internal background makes him an ideal fit for the position. While his background stems primarily from circuit racing, the fundamental operational principles remain identical, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership oversight for the upcoming rounds on the calendar.
Lehtinen firmly reassured stakeholders that day-to-day operations at the team's base will remain entirely unaffected by the transition. Meanwhile, infrastructure development continues in the background, with the construction of a brand-new headquarters and technology center in Jyvaskyla progressing steadily toward its scheduled completion.
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