Toyota ‘copy cats’ hit the courts


By Nick Sparkes
February 4 2006

Toyota has been hit with three former officer’s being charged with industrial espionage, Reuters reported today. The team have been accused of ‘copying’ Ferrari during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, by using illegal software which was the property of Ferrari. German prosecutors have filled charges against three Toyota employees’, who used the software even though they knew it was illegal. During the 2002 and 2003 season’s, whispers in the pit lane suggested that the Toyota Formula One racer was similar in design to that of Ferrari. Both teams would end up at the opposite ends of the contructors’ championship.

Toyota are no stranger to illegal battles, back in the 90’s the Toyota World Rally Team were thrown out of the 1995 season, and banned from competing in 1996. This followed by a WRC official who found an adjustable turbo restrictor, which was outlawed.

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