P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Rob Leupen will depart Toyota GAZOO Racing Europe and step down as team director after the 2024 World Endurance Championship season finale.
After three decades of working with the Japanese manufacturer, the Dutchman is set to leave the Cologne-based outfit. Leupen joined Toyota in 1990 and committed himself over three decades with them. He is most regarded during his time as the lead of Toyota’s FIA WEC programme since its birth in 2012. During which, they have won the Le Mans 24 Hours on six consecutive occasions and five straight WEC titles. The reigning Hypercar Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ champions said in a statement: ”Toyota GAZOO Racing Europe (TGR-E) has taken the next step in its ongoing process of renewing its leadership structure in the pursuit of making ever-better motorsport-bred cars.” His final race will be the WEC’s 8 Hours of Bahrain season finale this weekend on Saturday 2 November. Toyota will attempt to defend their Manufacturers’ crown against Ferrari at the Sakhir-based venue.
