21/08/2008
NEWS STORY
Damon Hill and Eddie Jordan were among the F1 figures paying their respects to the late Dino Toso on Wednesday.
At a private service at St Gregory & St Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Oxford, colleagues remembered the former Renault Chief Aerodynamicist who lost his long battle with cancer earlier this month.
Prior to the service, Eddie Jordan spoke of the man who engineered Damon Hill's car, helping the Irish team to its maiden victory, at Spa Francorchamps in 1998.
"He was a very fit man," said Jordan, according to the Oxford Mail, "and it was a blow when he got cancer. He was given no time at all, particularly for someone who was so fit.
"He won his first grand prix with Jordan at Spa and did an unbelievable job with Damon," the Irishman continued. "He was a senior engineer at Renault and won back-to-back titles. The only time Dino went home was when he went to the gym."
Toso, Dutch of Italian origin, joined Jordan in 2007, having previously worked in the aerospace industry and with BMW. In 2001 he followed Mike Gascoyne to Benetton, which was bought out by Renault a year later. In late 2003 he succeeded John Iley as Chief Aerodynamicist, a position he held until earlier this year. During his time with the French outfit he played a major role in its back-to-back title winning seasons.
Though first diagnosed with cancer in 2004, Toso continued working until June this year, whilst still receiving treatment.
"His contribution to the team, both through his results and his courage in the face of illness, are an inspiration," said a Renault spokesperson yesterday.