He isn't a fit for modern F1 where computers and aerodynamics and windtunnels are very important. I read that he used to design the Minardis without much (if any at all) windtunnel time. It worked for them because they didn't have cash anyway. It's easy to make a slow car leap by a lot as long as the guy behind the design is fundamentally talented and is experienced. But making an already somewhat good car, or a real fast car would probably be a lot difficult - it's the law of diminishing returns. Then it would require specialized skills and teams.

I believe it was a mistake that Toyota hired Brunner in the first place. There were other guys at the same time that Gustav was hired - most notably Sergio Rinland of Sauber, who has proven his worth that year in 2001 with his cars lifting the team to fourth in the WCC. Of course, I wouldn't know if he simply refused if ever he was offered, or if indeed he would have done a better job than Brunner at managing Toyota's technical capabilities and the enormous resources available.

Or at least, Toyota should have made sure that the brilliant ideas of THE designer Gustav Brunner was partnered with a proper Technical Director. It was simply strange that Toyota went on for three years without a Technical Director.

This message board here is witness to the many rants I had regarding Mr. Brunner's disappointing work at Toyota. I don't know much about F1 technology, but it was a real frustration that year in, year out from 2002 to 2004, the cars would have the same basic problems. Basic problems which should have been easy to resolve, especially since the cars were always prided as conservative and devoid of any "reinventing the wheel" radical design elements. Toyota was losing big time because, well among other things, the Technical Department appear to be lost. If anything, it was probably the improved grip from the tyres and the ever improving engine that brought down Toyota's lap times, with the chassis side - mechanicals, weight, suspension, and aerodynamics - contributing very little.

Still, I feel for the person in Gustav Brunner. Of all times, this redundancy had to be made official a week before Christmas. Yes, probably Toyota made a mistake in poaching Brunner from Minardi, because in Brunner Toyota wasted a lot of time and money... but just the same they wasted Brunner. If Brunner remained at Minardi, where he was at his best and where his talent is most reflected and appreciated, things could have been a lot better. Rumors suggest that he's on his way back to Minardi. No, that's Toro Rosso now. It would have been a lot sweeter and meaningful, would have been a true home coming of sorts if Minardi still existed. Having said that, I think that even there at Toro Rosso, he'd have very little role. He'd probably be a consultant of sorts. Come to think of it, he would have had more fulfillment and gratitude being a consultant even at Toyota, even from early on.

It is also sad that this particular redundancy issue has brought controversy to Gascoyne and Toyota's manner of handling their men. The longer reports from German websites speak of Brunner clearing his desk against his intentions but on orders from Toyota. I personally believe that all this 'sacking' issue is simply his contract coming to its ultimate end, but it appears that, despite being obviously sidelined since Gascoyne's arrival, Brunner's exit was involuntary and something apparrently the man himself didn't see coming.

Finally. I do not quite fully understand the German to English translation of one article at Auto Motor und Sport - but from this said article it is hinted that this redundancy label is just an excuse and that in fact the chief designer role was offered to Neil Oatley of McLaren. In any case, I believe Toyota needs a proven designer. We will see soon.

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