Toyota first started putting together the technical talent for their F1 team in 1999 with some of the core engineers coming from their sports car team that came close to winning le Mans that same year. These are the key personnel in the effort:

Ove Andersson (President): Andersson has a similar background to Jean Todt, and, in fact, was a co-driver with him in 1973 behind the wheel of an Alpine Renault. He sold his self-named motor sports company to Toyota in 1993 after working exclusively on Celica badged rally cars. Andersson was also a major force behind the GT-One le Mans car of the late 1990's.

Gustav Brunner (Chief designer): Most recently the Technical Director of Minardi, Brunner has been with Toyota since 1998. He has also made the rounds with Arrows, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Hart.

Norbert Kreyer (GM, Engine Department): Prior to F1, Kreyer worked on Toyota engines for their rally and le Mans efforts. Experience with Zackspeed, Ford, and VW.

Dagobert Rohrer (GM, F1 Chassis Department): With Toyota since 1990 working on rally projects. Prior to that he was with Audi.

Luca Marmorini (Project Leader, F1 engine): Being the ex-Ferrari project manager for both the V12 and V10, this guy knows his motors.

Rene Hilhorst (Senior Manager, Aerodynamics): Ex-Minardi and the former head of Aerodynamics at Sauber.