23/03/2005
NEWS STORY
Although it has yet to be confirmed by Toyota, it's understood that Pascal Vasselon, who previously headed Michelin's Formula One programme before being moved to a new position in north America in December 2004, has accepted a new role at Toyota.
A graduate of Sup'Aero, he joined Renault's F1 programme in 1985 working on suspension design and as a model maker.
In 1988, following Renault's withdrawal from F1, he moved to Michelin, starting out as head of the vehicle dynamic group and then progressing to the French company's competition department.
In 2000 he was appointed F1 manager for the French tyre manufacturer, and when Renault re-entered F1, having bought Benetton, he spent time working with Mike Gascoyne, who is now technical director chassis at Toyota.
It's understood that the main reason Vasselon opted to leave Michelin for Toyota is that he simply wanted to remain in motorsport, F1 in particular.