Former manager of Toyota Formula One team wrongfully dismissed

PARIS, Jan 12 (AFP) - Ange Pasquali was wrongfully dismissed as manager of the Toyota Formula One team, a court ruled in Germany.
"The court ruled my dismissal was wrong, meaning Toyota must pay me compensation to be fixed by the court," Pasquali told AFP on Wednesday.
The decision came on Tuesday in Cologne where the Japanese Toyota team is based. Pasquali was sacked last August by team bosses because of poor results.
Toyota, who made their Formula One debut in 2002, have not made a big impact since and last year finished just eighth out of 10 in the world constructors' standings.
Toyota said in a statement: "Toyota never intended to discredit or to fail to recognise the contribution made by Ange Pasquali to the team (...) We tried to reach an amicable agreement with Pasquali which he rejected and we think the court has found an intelligent and reasonable solution to the situation."

01/12/2005 17:29 GMT - AFP