The senior developer of Toyota's racing hybrids has been promoted to the role of LMP1 and motorsport team president, with immediate effect.
Hisatake Murata, the overseer of Toyota's hybrid racing powertrains since 2006, has replaced Toshio Sato at the helm of the Japanese manufacturer's motorsport program, covering both its World Endurance and World Rally Championship efforts.
As part of a reshuffling within the senior management, Sato will be reassigned to a new role as head of the Toyota Motor Company's power train division having been in charge of racing operations since 2015.
Murata's role at the motorsport team's Cologne HQ will also include responsibility for research and development projects, third party services and customer motorsport.
“I am proud to take this new role at TMG," said Murata.
"Since the beginning of our hybrid LMP1 project, I have built up a strong relationship with TMG members so I am looking forward to working together even more closely as we push to succeed in all areas."
"I would like to sincerely thank Sato for his leadership of TMG since 2015 and wish him all the best in his new position.”
Murata, 53, is one of Toyota's longest serving members of motorsport staff, having worked with the company since 1987.
His roles have varied over the years, with stints on Toyota's Champ Car, Group C, Super GT and Super Formula projects, before being tasked with developing hybrid powertrains for the WEC and Le Mans.
Murata's appointment to a new role comes against a backdrop of speculation regarding the WEC's future, following the confirmation that Porsche will withdraw from the LMP1 ranks at the end of the 2017 season.
Toyota has pledged to stay on until the end of 2018, although doubts have been raised over the vitality of the championship with the prospect of only one hybrid manufacturer competing in the top category.
Murata's first endurance race as team president will be the 6 Hours of Mexico on September 3rd.
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