Jarmo Lehtinen will leave his role as sporting director at Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team immediately following this month’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland (17 - 20 August).

Lehtinen, who claimed 15 WRC victories as co-driver to former Ford and Citroën star Mikko Hirvonen, has played a key role within the Toyota set-up since the Japanese manufacturer’s WRC return at the start of the season.

“The achievements we have created together have been fantastic and I feel very proud to have contributed towards them,” said 48-year-old Lehtinen, who oversaw Yaris World Rally Car victories for Jari-Matti Latvala in Sweden and Esapekka Lappi in Finland eight days ago.

“I hope the team builds on this promising start in seasons to come, as I move on towards the next chapter of my own career.”

Team principal Tommi Mäkinen thanked Lehtinen for his work.

“Jarmo has been one of the original architects of our project, and we all owe him a big debt of thanks. As well as a dedicated sporting director, he has been a good friend to all of us, so we wish him the very best for the future,” he said.

Lehtinen’s successor will be announced in due course. Until then his duties will be shared between rally engineer Christopher Rowden and test manager Timo Kankkunen.

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